Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the release of American citizen Stephen Hubbard, who was captured by Russian forces in Ukraine in 2022. US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, thanked the Russian leader for the decision during their meeting in St. Petersburg.
The American’s release was reported by Russian and Ukrainian media outlets.
According to Putin, 74-year-old Stephen Hubbard is already at Pulkovo Airport. Witkoff said he plans to meet him there in person.
Who is Stephen Hubbard?
Hubbard worked as an English teacher. In 2014, he moved to the Ukrainian city of Izium in the Kharkiv region, where he lived with his Ukrainian partner.
In 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Hubbard was captured by Russian forces.
According to Russian investigators, the American allegedly signed a contract with Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces and participated in combat operations against Russia.
In October 2024, a Russian court sentenced him to six years and ten months in prison on mercenary charges.
Media outlets previously reported that Hubbard had been subjected to torture while held in a Russian prison. US authorities later officially designated him as wrongfully detained.
US President Donald Trump previously stated that he had personally raised the issue of Hubbard’s release during talks with Putin.
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