Russia frees American teacher imprisoned as mercenary in Ukraine
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff announced Stephen Hubbard’s release during a meeting with Vladimir Putin; the accounts of his alleged military role differ.
TL;DR
- Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a retired U.S. teacher sentenced after a closed trial on mercenary charges tied to Ukraine.
- U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff announced the release during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.
- Washington had designated Hubbard wrongfully detained; Reuters reported that his lawyer disputed the charges and said Hubbard denied serving in a military unit.
Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said Wednesday during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Putin said Hubbard was at the city’s airport after his release. [1] [2]
Hubbard, from Michigan, was sentenced to nearly seven years in 2024 after a closed trial. Russian prosecutors said he had signed a contract with Ukraine’s military and fought alongside its forces before being captured. [1] [2]
The accounts of his alleged role differ. Reuters reported that Hubbard’s U.S.-based lawyer previously said the charges were false and that Hubbard told him he had not served in a combat or military unit. The U.S. government had designated him wrongfully detained. [1] [2]
The release was announced amid continuing U.S.-Russia contacts over the war in Ukraine, but officials did not describe the terms of any exchange or agreement. Hubbard’s return and the legal circumstances of his detention remain separate questions from any wider diplomatic outcome. [1] [2]
Why it matters
The release is a bilateral humanitarian development announced during direct U.S.-Russia contact, but no exchange terms or broader diplomatic agreement were disclosed. Hubbard’s contested conviction also remains distinct from the fact of release.
Editor's note
The release was confirmed by the U.S. envoy and reported by AP and Reuters. Hubbard’s alleged conduct and denial are attributed to the respective accounts.