Home / War and Conflict / US Citizen Freed from Russian Jail After 4+ Years
US Citizen Freed from Russian Jail After 4+ Years
21 Oct
Summary
- Stephen Hubbard, 74, released after over four years in Russian custody.
- Hubbard was accused of fighting for Ukraine and declared wrongfully detained.
- President Trump stated he personally secured Hubbard's release.
Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old U.S. citizen, has been released from Russian detention after over four years. Hubbard, a Michigan native, was accused by Russian authorities of manning a checkpoint for mercenaries after being captured in Ukraine in February 2022. He was declared wrongfully detained by the U.S. State Department and was reportedly in poor health.
President Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he had personally requested Hubbard's release from President Vladimir Putin, asserting that Russia granted it out of respect for him, without requiring any exchange. Hubbard was expected to be flown to Texas for treatment at a military hospital.
This release follows previous actions, including President Trump's appeal for the humanitarian pardon of Robert Gilman and the release of other Americans like Marc Fogel, Evan Gershkovich, and Paul Whelan from Russian custody. The U.S. continues to advise against travel to Russia due to risks of wrongful detention.
