Ksenia Karelina Faces 15 Years for Treason

Russian prosecutors are seeking a 15-year prison sentence for Ksenia Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, who has pleaded guilty to treason for donating approximately $51 to a U.S.-based pro-Ukraine charity. Karelina was arrested in January while visiting family in Yekaterinburg and accused of collecting money for the Ukrainian military, which the Russian Federal Security Service claims was used to purchase tactical supplies and weapons. Her trial has been held behind closed doors, and the final verdict is expected to be announced on August 15. This case follows Russia's increased crackdown on dissent since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and is part of a broader trend of targeting U.S. nationals. Despite her guilty plea, Karelina's lawyer intends to seek her inclusion in a future prisoner exchange.