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Russia releases imprisoned US citizen Stephen Hubbard
Russia has released US citizen Stephen Hubbard. This was confirmed by President Putin and US negotiator Witkoff. Hubbard was in Moscow in 2024 for alleged "mercenary activities" for Ukraine
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After conversation with Trump, Russia releases imprisoned US citizen Hubbard As of: October 21, 2026 • 2:14 p.m
Russia has released US citizen Stephen Hubbard. He was sentenced to prison in 2024 for alleged “mercenary work” for Ukraine. A German citizen was apparently arrested almost at the same time as his release.
US citizen Stephen Hubbard, imprisoned in Russia, is free. Russian President Vladimir Putin made the announcement during a visit by US envoy Steve Witkoff to St. Petersburg, Russian news agencies reported.
Hubbard is already at Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg, Putin said, according to the Interfax news agency. Witkoff confirmed the information.
The US envoy is in St. Petersburg to discuss with Putin about ending the war against Ukraine. On Tuesday, Witkoff spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo.
In St. Petersburg, Russia's president discusses the war in Ukraine with US special envoy Witkoff. more
US President Donald Trump welcomed the release. "Welcome home Stephen, it's great to have you back," Trump said on his social network Truth Social. Hubbard is now on his way home.
Trump also said that he had asked for Hubbard's release in a phone call with Putin just last week. The USA did not have to provide anything in return. Trump spoke of “an unprecedented situation for Russia.” In the past, Russia has often demanded the release of a Russian citizen in return.
Hubbard, a retired teacher, was captured in 2022, according to Russian prosecutors. In October 2024, he was sentenced to almost seven years in prison in Moscow for alleged “mercenary activity” for Ukraine. His family and his US attorney deny the allegations. The trial took place behind closed doors.
At the time of his sentencing, Hubbard was 72 years old. According to the AFP news agency, a former Ukrainian prisoner reported in autumn 2024 that the US citizen, like many other prisoners, had been tortured with deprivation of food and electric shocks.
"Was sentenced to six years in a penal camp", Christian Saathoff, ARD-aktuell, on the release of US citizen Hubbard in Russia tagesschau24, October 21, 2026 • 11:00 a.m. German arrested for "mercenaryism" Meanwhile, the Russian domestic secret service FSB reported the arrest of a German citizen who is said to have escaped from the Ukrainian armed forces. According to the Russian state news agency Tass, he deserted as a foreign mercenary and sniper after not receiving the promised money, the FSB said. A decision will be made about whether to initiate criminal proceedings for “mercenaryism,” it said. According to the report, the man is said to have served in the Bundeswehr from 1996 to 2010.
The Russian intelligence information cannot be independently verified. The FSB did not say where the suspect was arrested.
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