'Overwhelmed with happiness' since release: Ksenia Karelina
Share this @internewscast.com


() Since her release from a Russian prison, former ballerina Ksenia Karelina said she is “overwhelmed with happiness.”

“It’s so great to feel the sunshine on my skin, feel my loved one next to me and I’m just really, really happy now,” Karelina told ‘s Chris Cuomo in a exclusive Tuesday.

Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, was arrested in Russia after it was found she donated $51 to Razom, a charity that provided aid to Ukraine, in 2022. She pleaded guilty to treason and was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian penal colony.

She was later freed in April of 2025 in a major prison swap between Washington and Russia. In exchange, Arthur Petrov, a Russian-German man who’d been jailed in the U.S. on smuggling charges, was released to the country. Other Americans that have been released from Russian custody include retired Marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

Chris Van Heerden, Karelina’s boyfriend, advocated for her release for 15 months before she was freed in the prisoner swap.

“Love wins no matter what,” van Heerden said of the push to get Karelina released. “I believe everyone would have done what I did if they were in my position. I also don’t want people to forget what she’s been through, she is so strong.”

Karelina said she is now working on having a normal life since her imprisonment and release.

“Thanks to Chris, I have the ability to take things slow, but I would really love to help people get through dark places because it was hard what I went through, and I now know some tools to get through hard things,” Karelina said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Governor Pritzker of Illinois selects Christian Mitchell as his choice for Lieutenant Governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Governor JB Pritzker has announced his pick for Lieutenant…

The Dalai Lama Emphasizes China’s Non-Interference in Succession Decisions

On Wednesday, the Dalai Lama declared that the established Tibetan Buddhist tradition…

Valuable Gear Stolen from Kansas City Youth Sports Organization

KANSAS CITY, Mo. –Thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of equipment from…

Brunswick Welcomes Georgia’s Largest Buc-ee’s Just in Time for Holiday Travelers

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (WSAV) – If you’ve ever taken a journey through the…

Cold Case Solved: Murderer Sentenced 58 Years After Heinous Crime

(KTLA) – In what is being hailed as the oldest cold case…

Spotlight on the Community: Champaign County Freedom Celebration

Nathan Applegate joined Taylor Mitchell in the WCIA studio to discuss the…

Paramount to Settle ’60 Minutes’ Trump Lawsuit with $16 Million Payment

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…

Savannah Tech Introduces High School Diploma Program for Adult Students

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Savannah Technical College has earned approval to award…

Bob Trammell, Ex-Georgia Democratic Leader, Eyes Attorney General Candidacy

ATLANTA (AP) — A Democratic former legislative leader said Tuesday that he’s…

Trump considers arresting Mamdani and suggests Musk’s deportation

() President Trump has threatened to arrest New York City mayoral candidate…

Unity Graduate Kimball Transfers to SIU

TOLONO, Ill. (WCIA) — Unity grad Blake Kimball is taking his talents…

Bryan Kohberger’s ex-professor questions whether his serial killer courses influenced him

() A renowned forensic psychologist who taught Bryan Kohberger about serial killers…