In a recent development, Xenia Karelina, a dual US-Russian citizen, has been sentenced to 12 years in a Russian penal colony for alleged treason.

The court in Yekaterinburg found her guilty of donating approximately $52 to a Ukrainian aid organization, which Russian authorities claim supported military activities against Russia.

Karelina, a ballet dancer residing in Los Angeles, was arrested during a family visit in January.

Her lawyer plans to appeal the verdict, arguing that Karelina did not intend to support anti-Russian activities.

This case follows a pattern of high-profile detentions of US citizens in Russia, often leading to international prisoner exchanges.

The US government has criticized Russia for using such detentions as leverage in diplomatic negotiations.