Stephen Hubbard, the 74-year-old retired American teacher held in Russia for more than four years, was released from a Russian prison on Wednesday, October 21 — and is on his way home.
Hubbard, a Michigan native, was taken from his home in Izyum, Ukraine, by Russian forces in April 2022 — about a month after Russia’s full-scale invasion began. He had been living in Izyum since 2014 and had previously served in the U.S. Air Force and National Guard.
In October 2024, he was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison on charges of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine, accused of joining a Ukrainian territorial defense unit for a promised $1,000 a month.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the release in Saint Petersburg, Russia, during his meeting with Vladimir Putin. President Trump said on October 20 that he had been negotiating Hubbard’s release directly with Putin “at length.”
The 74-year-old, reported to be in poor health, was expected to fly from St. Petersburg to Texas for medical treatment at a military hospital. His release marks the end of a four-and-a-half-year ordeal — and one of the most closely watched American detainee cases of the war. Read India’s biggest IPO story and Tesla’s flying car coverage.
Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.