US preparing to implement sanctions against Russia after death of Putin critic
The U.S. is now preparing for sanctions against Russia amid growing backlash to Alexei Navalny's death and the Ukraine war.
As of Wednesday morning, another American citizen is in custody in Russia.
Ksenia Karelina, a 33-year-old ballerina who lived in Los Angeles, is a Russian-American dual national. She was detained on suspicion of treason, for allegedly donating money to support Ukraine.
The White House issued a warning to all Americans in Russia.
"If you're a U.S. citizen, including a dual national, residing in or traveling in Russia, you ought to leave right now," said White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby.
Russia's federal security service released this video apparently showing Karelina being led into a courtroom where a judge denied her bail.
"She is not safe there and if we do not help her, she will spend the rest of her life in jail."
As the U.S. works to respond, President Joe Biden said he will bring new sanctions against Russia after the death of Vladimir Putin's most outspoken critic in Navalny.
"I told you we'd be announcing sanctions on Russia," Biden said. "We'll have a major package announced on Friday."
Russia is already under sanctions, which so far have had little impact, as Russia is shielded by China, who continues to sell oil internationally, and is re-supplied with weapons by Iran and North Korea.
The U.S. says the sanctions are also designed to hold Russia accountable for the war in Ukraine, where Russian troops are flattening villages across the east as they advance..
Russia launched new attacks overnight as Ukrainian defenders are stalled as they await weapons and ammunition blocked by Republicans by congress.
Russia drove Ukrainian forces from the city of Avdiivka last weekend. A witness told NBC News as the Russians advanced, Ukrainian troops broke ranks into chaos. A Ukrainian military spokesman said some Ukrainians were captured or went missing.
