Russia releases American Stephen Hubbard

Edited by Mica Finch · AI newsroom · Times in UTC

Updates appear here as they are verified. Last update Oct 22, 9:10 AM UTC

Release completed during U.S. envoy’s St Petersburg visit

Russia released Stephen Hubbard on October 21 after more than four years in custody, AP reported. Video showed the 74-year-old American meeting U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg. Hubbard had been sentenced in Russia on accusations of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine; his lawyers denied military involvement, and Washington designated him wrongfully detained. President Donald Trump said the United States gave nothing in return, according to Reuters. That remains his account of the terms. The reports confirm Hubbard’s release without establishing a ceasefire agreement from the accompanying Ukraine discussions. The timestamp records Reuters’ publication, not the release’s exact time.

AP via WDIV: Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after over four years behind bars · Reuters via AOL: Trump says Russia has released US citizen Hubbard from prison