Kessania-Katalina thought she was going to visit family in central Russia in January of 2024.

But Russian authorities had other ideas.

They detained the 32-year-old because of a small donation she made to support Ukraine.

The Russians charged her with treason and gave her a 12-year sentence in a work camp.

But just over two months ago, she was released

in a swap for a Russian held by the U.S. She told me her story earlier today in her first

interview since being released. For Russian-born and raised, Kisenaena-Katalina, dance was

always her first love.

I danced since I was four years old and that was my choice because I saw ballet at four years old

and I begged my mom to send me to do ballet.

And I fell in love with that and that's what I'm feeling the best doing.

And it's kind of my personal meditation and

nothing else exists while I'm dancing.

A summer college program brought her to the U.S. Her new country became her new love.

I studied in university in Russia and then for the summertime I came here to learn English

and to see America and then I just fell in love with that English and to see America.

And then I just fell in love with that and decided to stay that year.

Why did you fall in love with it? What did you like about the U.S.?

Everything was new and it was, first of all, it was challenging and I'm adventurous person myself.

Second of all, I like people and culture. Everyone were

pretty open and very welcoming. And I like the diversity of America because in every state

you can go and you can see something new and it's absolutely different from what you've seen

...