Russia says it freed American Stephen Hubbard, 74, as Trump envoy meets with Putin
The release followed weeks of U.S. pressure and came without a prisoner swap, officials said, as Washington pushes for talks to end the war in Ukraine.
- On Tuesday, Russia released Stephen Hubbard following a visit to Petersburg by Steve Witkoff. The State Department previously designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained.
- Russian prosecutors alleged that Hubbard fought for Ukraine after moving to Izyum in 2014. His sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, maintained the accusation was a lie.
- President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that he raised the case with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin agreed to the release during discussions with Witkoff in Petersburg.
- Hubbard, originally from Michigan, spent decades abroad as an English teacher before being captured by Russian forces. He was sentenced to almost seven years in a penal colony in 2024.
- Hubbard is the latest American freed from Russian detention following Robert Gilman's August release. Gilman was freed for humanitarian reasons amid severe health concerns.
651 Articles
651 Articles
Russia frees US 'mercenary' after Trump request
Russia has freed an American who had been jailed for more than four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, a deal completed during a visit by a top US envoy and at a time when President Donald Trump has taken a series of actions meant to benefit Moscow. Trump told reporters at the White House that he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin during a recent call to free Stephen Hubbard and that, unlike previous releases, the US…
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American freed after over 4 years behind bars
Russia 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 US envoy and at a time when President Donald Trump has taken a series of actions meant to benefit Moscow. Trump said in a Truth Social post that he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call last week to free Stephen Hubbard, and that, unlike previous …
US Citizen Arrested During 2022 Ukraine Invasion Released From Russian Jail
Trump told reporters at the White House that he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin during a recent call to free Stephen Hubbard and that, unlike previous releases, the US did not have to give up anyone in return.
Trump Secures Release of American Imprisoned in Russia
President Donald Trump has secured the release of an American citizen who spent more than four years in Russian custody, following a personal appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Stephen James Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired English teacher from Michigan, was released Wednesday after Trump reportedly raised his case directly with Putin during a telephone conversation […]
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