Russia Frees American Citizen Jailed for Fighting in Ukraine, State Media Reports

President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia has agreed to release an American citizen who was imprisoned for allegedly fighting on behalf of Ukraine, according to state media reports. Stephen Hubbard, originally from Michigan, was taken to Pulkovo Airport, Putin stated during discussions with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg.

Hubbard, who was 72 years old at the time of his sentencing, received a sentence of nearly seven years in a penal colony in 2024. Prosecutors had stated that he was serving in a defense unit based in the eastern city of Izyum when he was captured by Russian forces two years prior to his sentencing.