Russian authorities have arrested a Los Angeles ballet dancer on suspicion of treason over allegations that she participated in fundraising for Ukraine.
Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American ballet dancer, is being detained by Russia, a senior US official has told Sky News' US partner NBC News.
The American official said that the 33-year-old became an American citizen in 2021.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said the woman, who was not named, had been “involved in providing financial assistance to a foreign state in activities directed against the security of our country,” since 2022.
The statement said it collected money spent on medicines, equipment, weapons and ammunition in the Ukrainian war effort.
Treason in Russia is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Ms Karelina is currently detained under a pre-trial detention order.
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The White House said it was aware of the arrest and was seeking more information.
Ms. Karelina entered Russia on January 2, and the United States learned of her arrest on February 8, a US official told NBC News.
Razum for Ukraine, a US charity that says it provides “humanitarian aid, disaster relief, education and advocacy” in Ukraine, said it was “appalled” by reports of the arrest.
Ms Karelina reportedly donated to the charity after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but the charity told NBC it did not share information about its donors.
Footage published by state-owned Russian news agency RIA Novosti showed officials handcuffing a woman, whose face was obscured by a hat pulled over her eyes, and escorting her to what appeared to be a courtroom holding cell.
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National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that he could not comment much on the issue, but that the presence of American citizens or dual citizens in Russia was dangerous.
“If you are a U.S. citizen, including dual citizenship, and are residing in or traveling to Russia, you should leave now if you can,” Kirby said. “Just leave immediately.”
The United States is seeking consular assistance, but it has not yet been granted, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a news conference on Tuesday.
He added that because Russia does not recognize dual citizenship and “considers them as Russian citizens first and foremost,” securing consular assistance could be difficult.
