Stephen Hubbard released from Russian prison after four years

Stephen Hubbard Vladimir Putin Donald Trump prisoner release Russia-US relations

Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired American teacher and Air Force veteran, has been released from Russian custody after serving more than four years in prison. Hubbard was captured in eastern Ukraine in 2022 and was convicted in Moscow of mercenary activity, receiving a sentence of approximately seven years.

Both the United States and Russia have denied that Hubbard’s release was part of a prisoner exchange involving Mikhail Zvinčuk, a Russian military blogger recently detained in Montenegro. President Vladimir Putin described the release as a “humanitarian gesture of goodwill,” while U.S. President Donald Trump stated he requested the release and that Russia asked for nothing in return. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who retrieved Hubbard in St. Petersburg, also confirmed the release was not an exchange.

Former Ukrainian prisoners held alongside Hubbard have alleged he was subjected to severe mistreatment during his detention. Accounts from former inmates include claims of physical beatings, the use of stun guns, sexual humiliation, and being forced to sing the Russian national anthem. They also reported that Hubbard suffered from untreated wounds and skin diseases while being held in harsh conditions.

Entities

Donald Trump · Mikhail Zvinčuk · Stephen Hubbard · Steve Witkoff · Vladimir Putin

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Vladimir Putin described Hubbard's release as a humanitarian gesture of goodwill. borba.me · verige.net · www.vijesti.me
[● 5 SOURCES] Donald Trump stated that Russia did not request anything in return for Hubbard's release. borba.me · verige.net · www.vijesti.me · econotimes.com · www.lifezette.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The US State Department offered a $10 million reward for information on Rybar employees in October 2024. borba.me · verige.net · www.vijesti.me
[● 3 SOURCES] Russia and the US deny that Steven Hubbard was released in exchange for Mikhail Zvinčuk. borba.me · verige.net · www.vijesti.me
[● 3 SOURCES] Rybar was previously funded by Yevgeny Prigozhin. borba.me · verige.net · www.vijesti.me
[● 3 SOURCES] Mikhail Zvinčuk is identified as the director of the media organization Rybar. borba.me · verige.net · www.vijesti.me
[● 3 SOURCES] Former inmates alleged Hubbard was subjected to electric shocks and physical abuse in prison. dailydigest.ie · www.bbc.co.uk · www.timesnownews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Stephen Hubbard was a US Air Force veteran who served beginning in 1974. www.lifezette.com