Russian-Born Harvard Scientist Detained by US Charged With Smuggling

Prosecutors say Kseniia Petrova attempted to smuggle clawed frog embryos and embryonic samples into the country.

Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born scientist who was a researcher at Harvard University, in April 2025. Polina Pugacheva via AP

A Russian-born scientist and research associate at Harvard University has been arrested and charged with allegedly attempting to smuggle clawed frog embryos and embryonic samples into the United States, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced on May 14.

Kseniia Petrova, 31, was charged with one count of smuggling goods into the country.