Trump, Putin Negotiate Release of US Air Force Veteran From Russian Prison
The U.S. said Hubbard was wrongfully detained, and his release followed diplomatic talks between Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin.
- On Wednesday, Russia freed 74-year-old retired schoolteacher Stephen Hubbard from prison after more than four years in detention, a release coinciding with a St. Petersburg visit by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.
- Captured in Ukraine shortly after the 2022 invasion, Hubbard was accused of manning a checkpoint for mercenaries and sentenced to nearly seven years in a penal colony following a closed-door trial.
- President Donald Trump said Putin agreed to the release at his request with "no 'swap' necessary," though Trump claimed his decision to waive new sanctions on Russia played a role in securing the deal.
- Witkoff praised Putin as a "humanitarian" following the release, prompting swift backlash from Republican and Democratic lawmakers, while at least nine other Americans remain imprisoned in Russia.
- The State Department continues to warn Americans against traveling to Russia due to detention risks, though the U.S. has not designated Russia as a state sponsor of wrongful detention, unlike Iran and Afghanistan.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Defense News
Military TimesTrump, Putin negotiate release of US Air Force veteran from Russian prison
Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher and U.S. Air Force veteran, was released from Russian custody on Wednesday after spending over four years in prison.
Factbox-Who are the Americans detained in Russia? - Regional Media News
Oct 22 (Reuters) - Russia freed Stephen Hubbard, a retired US schoolteacher, from prison on Wednesday, as Moscow and Washington held a new round of talks about settling the war in Ukraine. At least nine publicly identified Americans are believed to remain imprisoned in Russia, [...]
Russian President Putin Releases Stephen Hubbard from Prison
The story of Stephen Hubbard reflects that he is a rather unusual fellow of considerable travel. The 74-year-old American was released from Russian prison on humanitarian grounds following requests by the U.S. government, state department and President Trump himself. Stephen Hubbard was a former schoolteacher who taught English in Japan, retired then went to Cyprus […]
Son says Stephen Hubbard was experiencing "extreme tiredness with life" before release from Russian jail
In an interview with CBS News after Stephen Hubbard was released from Russian custody, his son, Fr. Joseph Coleman, said his father might have made a mistake in staying in Ukraine when the war began.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
