US Citizen Stephen Hubbard Released From Russian Prison Without Prisoner Exchange
President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday, October 21, that the United States did not transfer any prisoners to Russia in exchange for the release of 74-year-old American citizen Stephen Hubbard. Hubbard had been serving a nearly seven-year sentence in Russia on a mercenary conviction. Trump stated on the social media platform Truth Social that the Russian government took the step “out of respect” for him, adding that no exchange was required and that it was an unprecedented case for Russia.
The release occurred while US special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, where Putin announced that Hubbard was already at Pulkovo Airport. State Department officials had previously designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained. He had lived abroad for decades and resided in the Ukrainian city of Izium starting in 2014. Russian state prosecutors alleged Hubbard fought for a local territorial defense unit after the 2022 invasion, an accusation his family and legal advocates disputed, noting he worked as an English teacher, as reported by the human rights project Memorial. In October 2024, a Moscow court sentenced him to six years and 10 months in a general regime penal colony.
Trump Attributes Release to Personal Diplomacy and Sanctions Delay
Trump claimed on Truth Social that numerous individuals who previously demanded immediate sanctions against Russia telephoned him to apologize because they were unaware he was actively negotiating Hubbard’s release. Trump asserted that imposing sanctions would have permanently halted those negotiations. The Guardian reported that Hubbard’s unilateral release serves as a calculated move by Moscow to align Trump’s stance on Ukraine with its own while granting the US president a diplomatic win ahead of midterm elections.
During the meeting at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg, Witkoff praised Putin directly, calling the Russian leader a humanist. Witkoff also conveyed Trump’s gratitude for an agreement to resume Russian diesel fuel exports to the United States. Meanwhile, Ukrainian and international officials met in Oslo on Tuesday to discuss security and energy matters related to the war in Ukraine, where Jared Kushner participated online and urged Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, according to Axios reports.
Hubbard Follows Robert Gilman as Released American Citizen
Hubbard is the second American citizen released from Russian custody in recent months following the August release of 32-year-old Robert Gilman, who had served part of a ten-year sentence for assaulting law enforcement officers. Advocacy groups and family members reported that Gilman was severely emaciated and subjected to torture during his confinement. Federal Penitentiary Service figures from September indicated that 16 US citizens remained imprisoned in Russia, with Hubbard previously recognized by the State Department as the sole officially designated wrongfully detained American among them, though human rights organizations like Global Reach estimated at least five additional cases warranted that status.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stephen Hubbard’s Release
Why was Stephen Hubbard imprisoned in Russia?
Russian authorities arrested Hubbard in April 2022 in the occupied Ukrainian city of Izium and prosecuted him under mercenary statutes. Prosecutors alleged he joined a local territorial defense unit following the 2022 invasion, while his family and defense advocates maintained he was a retired English teacher who never engaged in combat operations.
What did US officials say about the conditions of his release?
President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that Russia released Hubbard unilaterally and without any prisoner exchange out of respect for his presidency. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov similarly characterized the release as a gesture of good will.
Who else has been released from Russian custody recently?
In August, Russia released Robert Gilman, who had been serving a sentence for assaulting law enforcement personnel. Human rights monitors noted that Gilman showed signs of severe mistreatment upon his return to the United States.
More on Stephen Hubbard
President Donald J. Trump announces the release of Stephen Hubbard, taken four years ago by Russia during the Biden Administration.Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/EsMPLkeYbO
Witkoff and Dmitriev meet with released American Stephen HubbardBefore meeting with Steve Witkoff, Putin announced the release of US citizen Stephen Hubbard, who was convicted in 2024 on mercenary charges for his participation in Ukraine’s territorial defense forces.Hubbard… https://t.co/lfCZoT2uHo pic.twitter.com/H4uWnf9HPJ
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