On Thursday morning in Abu Dhabi (UAE), the United States and Russia conducted a prisoner exchange.
UNN reports with reference to WSJ.
Details
Russia released Ksenia Karelina, a Russian and US. Karelina was sentenced last year to 12 years in prison after being found in Russia "guilty of treason" for donating less than $100 to a Ukrainian charity based in the US.
The US released Artur Petrov, a Russian-German citizen with dual citizenship, who was arrested in Cyprus in 2023 at the request of the US. Petrov's case involved the export of sensitive microelectronic components.
The prisoner exchange took place this morning in Abu Dhabi, the Wall Street Journal reports, and was organized by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and a senior Russian intelligence official. Ratcliffe was at Abu Dhabi airport to meet Karelina.
Since becoming CIA director, Ratcliffe has spoken on the phone several times with alexander bortnikov, head of the federal security service of the russian federation, and sergei naryshkin, head of the russian foreign intelligence service.
The Wall Street Journal recalls that Bortnikov was involved in the negotiations that led to the release of journalist Evan Gershkovich.
Second prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States under Trump
This is the second exchange of detainees between Russia and the United States since Trump took office in January, as both sides seek to improve relations.
Russia released American teacher Mark Vogel in February 2025, during a visit by US Ambassador Steve Witkoff. The Kremlin said at the time that "Vogel's freedom would lead to the release of a Russian held in the United States."
Washington and Moscow have tried to maintain a line of communication between their security services.
Former President Joe Biden’s White House often used Ratcliffe’s predecessor, Bill Burns, to pass confidential messages to the Russian leadership through his intelligence colleagues, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Last month, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service reported that Ratcliffe and Naryshkin had agreed to hold a phone call to maintain regular contact to reduce the conflict between the United States and Russia.
CIA Comment
The exchange demonstrates the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with Russia despite serious problems in our bilateral relationship. While we are disappointed that other Americans remain illegally detained in Russia, we view this exchange as a positive step and will continue to work toward their release,
Who is Petrov, where did Karelin previously live?
The United States alleged that Petrov used a Cypriot company to purchase small quantities of controlled microelectronics and integrated circuits from American companies under the guise of using them for fire safety systems and other commercial applications. According to U.S. investigators, Petrov then shipped the products to a company in St. Petersburg, which supplies them to the Russian military.
Karelin lived in Los Angeles and worked as a beautician at a Beverly Hills spa. Karelina's boyfriend said that in late 2023 the couple traveled to Istanbul to celebrate New Year's Eve, and that Karelina later flew to Yekaterinburg, Russia, about 900 miles east of Moscow, to visit family, and was detained for several hours upon arrival. Russian authorities later arrested her.
Recall
In March, Volodymyr Zelensky announced the release of 175 defenders from Russian captivity.
Russia and the US are holding the second round of consultations in Istanbul to normalize the work of diplomatic missions. The Russian side plans to raise the issue of resuming air traffic.