On February 20, 2024, dual US-Russian citizen Ksenia Karelina, now identified as Ksenia Khavana, was detained in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on charges of treason for donating to Ukraine.

Khavana is accused of transferring $51 to a Ukrainian charity on the day Russia invaded Ukraine, an act for which she faces up to 20 years in prison.

Her arrest occurs as the US and Russia discuss a potential prisoner exchange, although dual citizens are rarely included in such deals.

The US is investigating as Russia intensifies its crackdown on foreign threats, demonstrated by adding US senator Lindsey Graham to a terrorist database.

Russia holds several US citizens, such as journalist Evan Gershkovich and former marine Paul Whelan; the latter has been detained since 2018.

The U.S. embassy in Moscow has acknowledged Khavana's arrest without additional details, highlighting the ongoing pattern of Americans being detained in Russia.

Analysts suggest Moscow may use jailed Americans as leverage in negotiations amid escalating U.S.-Russian tensions.

Russian President Putin has shown interest in exchanging Gershkovich for a Russian held in Germany, though Russia has rejected several U.S. proposals for the release of Gershkovich and Whelan.