Play store
Russia has released American citizen Stephen Hubbard, who had been imprisoned for more than four years on charges related to fighting alongside Ukrainian forces, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday.
Hubbard, 74, a retired schoolteacher from Michigan, was detained in Russia in 2022 and sentenced to six years and 10 months in prison in October 2024 after being convicted of mercenary activities in Ukraine.
Trump said the United States did not have to make any concessions in exchange for Hubbard’s release.
He said the American was returning home to reunite with his family.
The release came during a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg.
Witkoff thanked Putin for releasing Hubbard and conveyed the US president’s appreciation.
Trump had earlier said he personally asked Putin to release Hubbard.
The American’s freedom was secured without a prisoner exchange, according to Trump.
Hubbard’s case had drawn attention because the US government had designated him as wrongfully detained in Russia.
His release comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts by Washington and Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
