Russia releases US citizen Stephen Hubbard after detention since 2022

Summarised from 7 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 10:51 · Archive

Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired American schoolteacher detained since 2022 after being captured in Ukraine.

Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired schoolteacher and American citizen from Michigan who had been held in Russian custody for over four years. President Vladimir Putin announced the release during talks with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on Wednesday, stating that Hubbard had been taken to Pulkovo Airport.

Hubbard was captured by Russian forces in April 2022, two months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He had been living in Izyum in eastern Ukraine with a Ukrainian partner after spending 25 years teaching English in Japan and then moving to Cyprus. Military records show he served in the US Air Force and National Guard.

A Moscow court convicted Hubbard in October 2024 following a closed trial and sentenced him to six years and ten months in prison. Russian prosecutors claimed he had joined a Ukrainian territorial defence unit, received training and weapons, and was promised $1,000 (around £748) per month. Russian state media said he pleaded guilty to the charges.

Hubbard's sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, told outlets she recognised her brother in videos posted online showing a man being questioned about his views on Putin and the war. Another video showed him with bound hands being struck with a sandal, though the location was not established.

The US government under the Biden administration designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained. CBS News reports he was the last American in Russia formally declared wrongfully detained by the State Department, though as many as ten other Americans, including dual nationals, remain in Russian custody.

President Trump said on Tuesday he had personally pressed Putin at length to secure Hubbard's release, saying 'I've been talking to him. I've asked him to release him.' CBS News reports Hubbard is in poor health and was expected to be flown to Texas for treatment at a military hospital.

The release came as part of wider diplomatic efforts. Witkoff held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Norway before travelling to St Petersburg to meet Putin. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the Norway meeting as 'positive'. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow was willing to listen to diplomatic proposals but did not expect any 'miracle'.

How it is being reported

• American Stephen Hubbard released by Russia, Witkoff saysStephen Hubbard, a U.S. citizen jailed in Russia since 2022, has been released, according to Steve Witkoff and Russian news agencies.CBS News · 21 Oct, 10:46
• Retired US school teacher freed by Russia as US to offer Vladimir Putin peace proposal to end Ukraine warVladimir Putin has agreed to free the imprisoned retired US school teacher Stephen Hubbard as Donald Trump’s envoy visits St. Petersburg to secure a peace deal in the war in Ukraine. The 74-year-old had been behind bars for four years but will now be let go, according to Russian state media. Mr Hubbard had been formally designated by the US State Department as wrongfully detained. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had raised the case with President Putin to secure the 74-year-old’s release. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Russian prosecutors claimed that Mr Hubbard had joined…GB News · 21 Oct, 10:44
• Russia releases American teacher imprisoned on Ukraine mercenary charges after Trump pressed PutinAmerican Stephen Hubbard has been released from Russian custody after Trump urged Putin to free the retired teacher imprisoned on Ukraine mercenary charges.Fox News · 21 Oct, 10:43
• Russia frees jailed American Stephen Hubbard, US envoy saysAfter the meeting, Putin announced the release of Stephen Hubbard, an American taken captive by Russian forces years ago in Ukraine.DW News · 21 Oct, 10:42
• Russia frees imprisoned US citizen Stephen Hubbard after plea from TrumpStephen Hubbard, of Michigan, was sentenced after a closed trial in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison.New York Post · 21 Oct, 10:38
• Russia frees US citizen Stephen Hubbard, state media reportsStephen Hubbard has been taken to Pulkovo Airport, Putin said during talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff.BBC News · 21 Oct, 10:22
• Stephen Hubbard: Why a 74-year-old retired schoolteacher from the US remains in Russian detentionPensioner Stephen Hubbard was put in Russian custody in 2022, following the full-scale invasion of UkraineIndependent World · 20 Oct, 14:14

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

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