Russia Detains US Citizens as Bargaining Chips, Says Ex-KGB Agent, Citing Ballerina and Others
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Every US citizen detained by Russia gives the Kremlin an "asset that you can trade," said ex-KGB agent Jack Barsky.
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Barsky said this practice of arresting Americans for bargaining purposes is "nothing new" and has happened since Stalin's time.
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The latest American detained is Kseniya Karelina, a US-Russian ballerina, accused of donating $51.80 to a Ukrainian organization.
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There are at least 3 other US citizens known to be detained in Russia, classified as wrongfully detained by the State Department.
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Barsky believes Putin intends to "scare more people" in Russia and the world with these detentions, like he did with Britney Griner.