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State Department: American held in Russia is en route to U.S.; one American remains detained
Summary
The State Department said an American identified as Ksenia Carolina, who had been detained in Russia for more than a year, is being returned to the United States under a swap that returned a Russian national to Russia. The department reiterated efforts to secure the release of other detained Americans, including Stephen Hubbard.
The U.S. Department of State said Tuesday that American Ksenia Carolina, detained in Russia for more than a year, is on her way back to the United States after a negotiated exchange.
Tammy Bruce, the State Department spokesperson, said President Trump and senior U.S. officials “mobilized their teams to bring her home” and thanked the government of the United Arab Emirates for assistance that enabled the exchange. “We continue to work to free Mr. Hubbard and all other Americans unjustly detained,” Bruce said, referring to Stephen Hubbard, who remains detained in Russia.
Why it matters: The swap underscores the administration’s public pledge to prioritize securing the release of U.S. citizens held abroad. Officials named by Bruce as involved in the effort included Secretary Rubio, special envoy Witkoff, CIA Director Ratcliffe, national security adviser Waltz and special envoy Bowler.
Bruce said Russian national Arthur Petrov was returned to Russia as part of the arrangement. She declined to discuss operational details of the negotiations or specifics about Carolina’s immediate plans, citing privacy and the individual’s choices. Bruce said medical or other post-arrival arrangements would be decided in consultation with Carolina and those responsible for her care.
Reporters asked whether the swap related to recent U.S.-Russia talks in Istanbul; Bruce characterized that meeting as a technical session about embassy relations and management, not about Ukraine. She said the administration continues to press Russia for the release of other Americans held there.
The State Department did not provide a timetable for Carolina’s reunification with family, and Bruce declined to confirm reports about scheduled arrival times or whether Carolina would visit any specific medical facility. The department also would not elaborate on the negotiations that led to the swap.
The department repeatedly described the broader U.S. effort as ongoing. “To secure Ksenia’s release, Russian national Arthur Petrov … was returned to Russia and that is all I’ll share in that regard,” Bruce said.
Ending: The department said it will continue diplomatic work to return U.S. citizens held abroad but gave no further public details on logistics or timelines for other detainees.
