American Stephen Hubbard released after four years in Russian prison

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 23:32 · Archive

Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American, has been released after spending more than four years in a Russian prison.

Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired American teacher from Michigan, has been freed after spending more than four years in a Russian prison. He was released on Wednesday, having been detained since 2022. President Donald Trump said he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin during a recent phone call to secure Hubbard's release. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff visited St. Petersburg for talks with Putin about the matter, also holding discussions about the war in Ukraine.

Hubbard's younger sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, spoke to him by phone after his release. She described him as being in disbelief, saying he was 'just laughing' and told her 'I can't believe this is happening'. She was heading to San Antonio to meet him in person.

Hubbard was accused by Russia of signing a contract with the Ukrainian military and sentenced in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison during closed court proceedings. The U.S. government under the Biden administration designated him as wrongfully detained, and his legal team disputed the Russian allegations, saying he was not involved in any military activity. His sister said he suffered beatings and starvation during his captivity and now suffers from an enlarged heart and likely post-traumatic stress disorder.

How it is being reported

• Sister of American Stephen Hubbard says he's in disbelief following release by RussiaThe younger sister of Stephen Hubbard, the American who was freed after spending more than four years in a Russian prison, says he was in disbelief about his release.Clickorlando · 21 Oct, 22:53
• Sister of American Stephen Hubbard says he's in disbelief following release by RussiaThe younger sister of Stephen Hubbard, the American who was freed after spending more than four years in a Russian prison, says he was in disbelief about his release.News4Jax · 21 Oct, 22:53

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

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