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American Ksenia Carolina headed home after yearlong detention in Russia, statement says
Summary
A staff member said American Ksenia Carolina, detained in Russia for more than a year, is on her way back to the United States after U.S. engagement; the statement named several U.S. officials and thanked the United Arab Emirates for help while noting another American, Stephen Hubbard, remains detained.
A staff member said American Ksenia Carolina is on her way back to the United States after being detained in Russia for more than a year.
The statement noted the administration’s role and international help in securing Carolina’s release and said another American detainee, Stephen Hubbard, remains unjustly held in Russia. “Pleased to share that American Ksenia Carolina is on her way back to The United States,” the staff member said. “Ksenia was detained in Russia for more than a year and will soon be reunited with her loved ones.”
Why it matters: The statement framed Carolina’s return as the product of a coordinated U.S. response and international cooperation, and it reiterated that other U.S. citizens remain detained abroad. “We have not forgotten about all of those who Russia continues to unjustly detain, including American Stephen Hubbard,” the staff member said.
Details and attribution: The staff member said President Trump’s team, “at his request, engaged with Russia on Ksenia’s case,” and named specific U.S. officials who “mobilized their teams to bring her home,” listing Secretary Rubio, Special Envoy Whitcough, CIA Director Ratcliffe, National Security Adviser Waltz and Special Envoy Bowler. The statement also thanked the government of the United Arab Emirates “for their support, enabling the exchange.”
The statement concluded that “President Trump and Secretary Rubio will continue to work for the release of all unjustly detained Americans,” without offering a timetable for Carolina’s arrival or additional operational details. The staff member did not provide a date for the exchange or further information about the conditions of release for either Carolina or Stephen Hubbard.
What remains unclear: The statement did not specify when Carolina will arrive in the United States, the location of the exchange, or whether any formal agreements or prisoner-exchange terms were used. It also did not provide details about Stephen Hubbard’s case beyond confirming he remains detained in Russia.
