American Teacher Imprisoned on Mercenary Charges Released by Russia
Stephen Hubbard's release follows reported pressure from President Trump on Russian President Putin.
US Politics • 2 hours ago
Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher who was imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. The release was confirmed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
Hubbard, from Michigan, had been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison in 2024. The circumstances of his release and the exact nature of the charges against him were not immediately detailed.
President Donald Trump had reportedly pressed Russian President Vladimir Putin to free Hubbard. This diplomatic intervention appears to have been a key factor in the American's release.