Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired American teacher, on Wednesday after detaining him for over four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. The release occurred during a visit to St. Petersburg by Steve Witkoff, a special envoy associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had personally requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to free Hubbard. Unlike previous cases, the U.S. government stated that no prisoner exchange was involved in this release.
Hubbard was sentenced in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison following a closed trial, during which Russian prosecutors alleged that he had signed a contract with the Ukrainian military after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 and fought alongside Kyiv’s forces until his capture two months later. The U.S. government under the Biden administration had designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained, disputing the Russian claims, with his legal team asserting that he was not involved in any military activity.
Originally from Big Rapids, Michigan, Hubbard had lived in Ukraine since 2014, teaching English and maintaining a low profile. His family described him as a pacifist, expressing skepticism about reports that he had confessed to military involvement. Hubbard was captured in the Ukrainian city of Izium in April 2022 and was held in multiple detention centers within Russia during his incarceration. Accounts from fellow prisoners indicated that he endured harsh treatment, including physical abuse and poor medical care.
The release is regarded as a gesture by Russia amid ongoing tensions between Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow. Witkoff, who has made multiple trips to Russia seeking to mediate an end to the conflict, praised Putin as a humanitarian during his meeting. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Hubbard’s release had been raised by the American side for some time and that Putin decided to free him out of humanitarian considerations.
Hubbard was transported to St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport, from where he was flown back to the United States for evaluation and medical treatment. His family expressed relief and gratitude, describing the release as a "miracle."
The timing of the release coincides with heightened geopolitical developments. The Trump administration recently lifted certain sanctions on Russia and pursued a deal to import Russian diesel, moves seen as benefiting Moscow and complicating U.S.-Ukraine relations. Witkoff met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders in Oslo shortly before his talks with Putin. However, relations between Washington and Kyiv have faced strain amid criticisms over U.S. support.
Hubbard is the second American released by Russia in recent months, following Marine veteran Robert Gilman’s freedom in August. Nonetheless, several other Americans remain detained in Russia on various charges, some with serious health issues. The United States continues to seek their release amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve broader conflicts between the countries involved.