A woman holding both US and Russian citizenship has been apprehended in Russia on suspicion of treason and providing financial support to the Ukrainian army.

Hailing from Los Angeles, the unnamed individual was actively involved in fundraising for a Ukrainian organization with the ultimate beneficiary being the armed forces in Kyiv, as reported by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). Additionally, she faced accusations of participating in pro-Ukraine rallies within the United States. The 33-year-old was taken into custody in Yekaterinburg.

The FSB disclosed that the woman had been gathering funds for the Ukrainian organization since February 2022, coinciding with the commencement of Russia’s comprehensive military operation in Ukraine. According to the security agency, the collected funds were utilized to acquire medical supplies, equipment, as well as weapons and ammunition for the Ukrainian army.

Video footage released by the state-owned Russian news agency RIA Novosti depicted the woman, her face concealed by a hat and intentionally blurred, being escorted by a uniformed officer.

After being handcuffed and placed into a vehicle, she was escorted into what appeared to be a holding cell within a courtroom, eventually emerging from it later on.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) asserted that the woman had engaged in activities “against the security of our country,” alleging her support for the Ukrainian army while residing in the United States.
In April of the previous year, Russian President Vladimir Putin enacted a decree elevating the maximum sentence for treason to life imprisonment, marking an increase from the previous limit of 20 years. This move was part of a broader effort to curb dissent within the country.

The FSB disclosed that the woman was apprehended in Yekaterinburg, located approximately 1,600km (1,000 miles) east of Moscow. Notably, this is the same city where US journalist Evan Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges on March 29 of the prior year. Gershkovich, a seasoned Russia reporter, was employed by the Wall Street Journal at the time. His pre-trial detention was extended until the end of March during a January hearing, with his appeal against the extension rejected on a recent Tuesday. If found guilty, Gershkovich could face a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

The United States government has officially labeled the reporter’s detention as “wrongful.” In a recent interview with U.S. host Tucker Carlson, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement to secure the release of Mr. Gershkovich.

Currently, Russia is holding several other U.S. citizens in custody, including former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who has been imprisoned in Russia since 2018. Whelan is serving a 16-year sentence on charges related to espionage.