Russia releases US citizen Stephen Hubbard
Russia has released 74-year-old US citizen Stephen Hubbard, who was accused of being a mercenary in Ukraine, during a visit by US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Russia has released 74-year-old US citizen Stephen Hubbard, who had been imprisoned for more than four years after being accused of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine and was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison in 2024. The release took place during US special envoy Steve Witkoff's visit to St. Petersburg and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
US President Donald Trump stated that he directly requested Hubbard's release from Putin and that no prisoner exchange was required in the process. While Kremlin officials announced that Putin had issued a pardon on humanitarian grounds, Hubbard's lawyers and family denied the charges.