Russia releases American teacher jailed for fighting in Ukraine

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 12:32 · Archive

Russia has released retired American teacher Stephen Hubbard, who had been jailed for fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.

Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher from Michigan who had been imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. The release took place during a visit by US envoy Steve Witkoff to Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Trump said he had urged Putin 'at length' to free Hubbard, and Witkoff told the Russian leader, 'Because of you, he's going home to his family.'

Hubbard is the second American detainee released by Russia in just over two months. He had been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison after a closed trial in 2024. Putin confirmed that Hubbard was at St. Petersburg airport, Pulkovo, at the time of Witkoff's visit.

Witkoff has been attempting to steer Russia and Ukraine towards a settlement to end the four-and-a-half year war. He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Norway on Tuesday before travelling to St. Petersburg. The release came as Trump waived sanctions on Russia in a bill that Congress overwhelmingly passed to support Ukraine, and announced a deal to import Russian diesel fuel. Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the first tanker of diesel would be dispatched to the US on Thursday.

How it is being reported

• Russia releases American prisoner during US envoy visitThe retired teacher had been imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine and was released after urging from Donald Trump, the US president says.Perth Now · 21 Oct, 12:22
• Russia releases American prisoner during US envoy visitThe retired teacher had been imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine and was released after urging from Donald Trump, the US president says.The West Australian · 21 Oct, 12:22

In this story: Stephen Hubbard · Donald Trump · Vladimir Putin · Steve Witkoff · Volodymyr Zelenskiy · Russia · Ukraine · United States

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem