US teacher Hubbard freed in Putin prisoner release during Trump envoy visit
Stephen Hubbard, a retired Michigan teacher, was imprisoned for fighting in Ukraine. He has been released.
Stephen Hubbard is a retired American teacher from Michigan. Hubbard was held in Russia on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.
After a closed trial in 2024, he was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison. Prosecutors said he signed a contract with the Ukrainian military.
Russia had sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. He fought for two months before being captured.
The US government under Biden named him as wrongfully detained. Hubbard's release came during a visit by US envoy Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg. Witkoff told Putin, 'Because of you, he's going home to his family.'
The release comes as President Trump has taken actions favoring Moscow. These include waiving sanctions on Russia.
- Nearly 7 years
- Original sentence
- 2024
- Trial year
- February 2022
- Russia invasion
- 2 months
- Time in fighting
Why it mattersPrisoner exchanges show possible diplomatic movement between the US and Russia. This affects other detained Americans and broader Ukraine conflict negotiations.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but the deal reflects shifting US-Russia relations that could affect regional security and any Australians caught in Ukraine-related disputes.
Corroborated byperthnow.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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