2 months ago
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(NewsNation) — Since her release from a Russian prison, erstwhile ballerina Ksenia Karelina said she is "overwhelmed with happiness."
"It's truthful large to consciousness the sunshine connected my skin, consciousness my loved 1 adjacent to maine and I'm conscionable really, truly blessed now," Karelina told NewsNation's Chris Cuomo successful a NewsNation exclusive Tuesday.
Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, was arrested successful Russia aft it was recovered she donated $51 to Razom, a foundation that provided assistance to Ukraine, successful 2022. She pleaded blameworthy to treason and was sentenced to 12 years successful a Russian penal colony.
She was aboriginal freed successful April of 2025 successful a large situation swap betwixt Washington and Russia. In exchange, Arthur Petrov, a Russian-German antheral who'd been jailed successful the U.S. connected smuggling charges, was released to the country. Other Americans that person been released from Russian custody see retired Marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal newsman Evan Gershkovich.
Chris Van Heerden, Karelina's boyfriend, advocated for her merchandise for 15 months earlier she was freed successful the captive swap.
"Love wins nary substance what," van Heerden said of the propulsion to get Karelina released. "I judge everyone would person done what I did if they were successful my position. I besides don't privation radical to hide what she's been through, she is truthful strong."
Karelina said she is present moving connected having a mean beingness since her imprisonment and release.
"Thanks to Chris, I person the quality to instrumentality things slow, but I would truly emotion to assistance radical get done acheronian places due to the fact that it was hard what I went through, and I present cognize immoderate tools to get done hard things," Karelina said.
