Ksenia Khavana, a U.S.-Russian dual national, was sentenced to 12 years in prison by a Russian court on charges of treason. Her conviction is linked to a $51 donation made to a charity that supports Ukraine.
Khavana, formerly known as Ksenia Karelina, was arrested in February in Yekaterinburg, where she had been visiting family. The trial, held in a closed setting, ended with her guilty plea, though she did not fully accept the intent behind the donation.
Khavana, a 33-year-old ex-ballet dancer, had gained U.S. citizenship through marriage and had settled in Los Angeles. She returned to Russia temporarily, which led to her arrest. Russian authorities claimed she had gathered funds for a Ukrainian organization that used them for medical supplies, equipment, and military purposes. The donation was reportedly made to a U.S. charity, complicating her case further.
Russian Court Sentences U.S.-Russian Dual National to 12 Years for Treason Over $51 Donation to Ukrainian Charity
Her attorney, Mikhail Mushailov, announced plans to appeal the verdict. He argued that while Khavana admitted to transferring the funds, she did not understand they would support anti-Russian activities. Mushailov emphasized that Khavana was unaware of the ultimate use of her donation, and her intent was not to support actions against Russia.
The case occurs against a backdrop of intensified crackdowns in Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russia has enacted strict laws criminalizing dissent and criticism related to the military operation. This environment has led to concerns about targeting U.S. nationals, with recent high-profile arrests reflecting a broader trend.
On August 1, Russia and the West conducted a significant prisoner exchange, the largest since the Cold War’s end. The swap included Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, corporate executive Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist sentenced for spreading “false information” about the Russian military.
The exchange also involved the release of opposition figures imprisoned for criticizing Russia’s military actions.
