US citizen Stephen Hubbard freed by Russia and 'on his way home', Trump says
The former teacher has been released without any "swap" required, according to the president.
Key points
- Russia has agreed to release US citizen Stephen Hubbard, who was jailed for allegedly fighting for Ukraine, according to President Vladimir Putin.
- Hubbard, 72 and originally from Michigan, was sentenced in 2024 to almost seven years in a penal colony.
- President Donald Trump said he raised Hubbard's case with Putin and told reporters to 'Watch what happens.'
President Vladimir Putin says Russia has agreed to release an American citizen who was jailed for allegedly fighting on behalf of Ukraine, state media reports. Stephen Hubbard has been taken to Pulkovo Airport, Putin said during talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg.
Hubbard, originally from Michigan, was 72 when he was sentenced to almost seven years in a penal colony in 2024. Prosecutors accused him of serving in a defence unit in the eastern city of Izyum when he was captured by Russian forces two years earlier.
US had classified Hubbard as wrongfully detained
The US State Department had previously classified Hubbard as "wrongfully detained". On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said he had raised Hubbard's case with Putin.
Trump told reporters: "Watch what happens," adding that "we have been focused on Hubbard". The BBC has contacted the White House for comment.
Watch what happens
— Donald Trump
