Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after four years in prison

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 19:20 · Archive

Russia has released American Stephen Hubbard, 74, who had been jailed for over four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.

Russia on Wednesday freed American Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old former teacher from Michigan, after he had been imprisoned for more than four years. Hubbard was charged with fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine and was sentenced in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison following a closed trial.

Russian prosecutors said Hubbard had signed a contract with the Ukrainian military after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, and fought alongside Kyiv's forces until being captured two months later. The U.S. government under the Biden administration had designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained.

President Trump said he had asked Putin to release Hubbard during a phone call last week, and that unlike previous releases, this did not require the U.S. to give up anyone in return. The release was completed during a visit by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to St. Petersburg, who also held talks with Putin about Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, as Trump pushes Kyiv toward a settlement to end the fighting. Witkoff thanked Putin for the release, telling him 'Because of you, he's going home to his family.'

How it is being reported

• Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after over 4 years behind barsPittsburgh Post-Gazette · 21 Oct, 18:44
• Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after over 4 years in prison, during a visit by U.S. envoyRussia on Wednesday freed an American who had been jailed for more than four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, in a deal completed during a visit by a top U.S. envoy and at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a series of actions meant to benefit Moscow.TribLIVE · 21 Oct, 13:23

In this story: Stephen Hubbard · Vladimir Putin · Donald Trump · Steve Witkoff · Russia · Ukraine · Michigan

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