Los Angeles ballerina faces 20 years in Russia over $51 donation to Ukrainian charity

Ksenia Karelina, arrested by Russia's FSB, gave $51 to a Ukrainian charity, according to Business Insider, citing the Russian legal group Perviy Otdel. The ballerina, holding dual citizenship of both the US and Russia, has been charged by Moscow with supplying substantial financial support to Ukraine.

"Since February 2022, she has been actively fundraising for a Ukrainian organization. The funds were reportedly used to purchase tactical medicine, equipment, weapons, and ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the FSB announced on Tuesday.

The Russian legal group Perviy Otdel confirmed that she had transferred exactly $51.80 to the Ukrainian charity Razom for Ukraine, based in the United States, in February 2022.

The recipient of the ballerina's donation, Razom, voiced its disapproval over the development on Tuesday. As emphasized in their statement, the group focuses on humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and education.

If found guilty, Ksenia Karelina could face up to 20 years in prison. The identity of the woman arrested by the Russian FSB was unveiled on Tuesday by a high-ranking American official via NBC News. The official added that the Russian woman obtained US citizenship in 2021.

A video of the 33-year-old's arrest by the FSB was shared on the X portal by Max Seddon, the Moscow office chief of the Financial Times.

Source: Business Insider