Stephen Hubbard released by Russia: How have Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff secured freedom of retired school teacher, ex-US Air Force, National Guard from Moscow?

Stephen Hubbard, a US Citizen who was accused of serving as a mercenary for Ukraine against Russia in the course of a military conflict, has been freed after four years in prison in Moscow. The deal was inked during a visit by top US envoy Steve Witkoff and at a time when President Donald Trump has taken a series of actions meant to benefit Moscow.

Trump said in a Truth Social post that he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call last week to free Stephen Hubbard, and that, unlike previous releases, his had not required the U.S. to give up anyone in return. "Welcome home, Stephen, it’s great to have you back," Trump said.

Who is Stephen Hubbard?


Hubbard, a 74-year-old former teacher from Michigan, was on his way home following a visit to St. Petersburg by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who also held talks with Putin about Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as Trump pushes Kyiv to make a deal that stops the fighting.

Hubbard is a retired schoolteacher, grew up in Big Rapids, Michigan, and served in ‌the US Air Force and National Guard, according to military records cited by the New York Times.

He earned a master’s degree in English and lived in Japan for 25 years where he taught English before moving to Cyprus and then, in 2014, to Izyum in ​eastern Ukraine with a Ukrainian partner, according to his sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox.

Fox told Reuters in 2024 ​that Hubbard subsisted on a pension of about $300 a month and had few connections with ⁠local people. The siblings last spoke in September 2021.

Why did Russia Send Stephen Hubbard to Jail?

Russia launched its full-scale war in Ukraine in February ​2022 and captured Izyum two months later. Ukrainian forces retook the city in September 2022, but Hubbard was already ​in Russian custody by then.

Russian state media said Hubbard had been detained in April 2022 and alleged he had been manning a Ukrainian military checkpoint. Reuters could not independently establish the circumstances of his capture.

Fox said she recognised her brother in a YouTube video showing ​a man being questioned about his views on Putin and the war. Another video showed him with his hands ​bound, being struck with a sandal. Reuters could not verify when or where the videos were recorded.

Following a ‌closed trial, ⁠a Moscow court convicted Hubbard of being a mercenary in October 2024 and sentenced him to six years and 10 months in prison. Prosecutors said Hubbard had joined a Ukrainian territorial defence unit, received training, weapons and ammunition, and was promised $1,000 a month. Russian state media said he had pleaded guilty to the charges he faced.

How was Stephen Hubbard Released?

President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that Stephen Hubbard has secured his freedom and is currently returning to the United States. The prisoner release was initially disclosed by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, according to Russian news agencies.

Putin reportedly indicated that Hubbard was at Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg, adding that Witkoff expressed gratitude towards the Russian leader for the liberation. Trump emphasised that Hubbard's freedom was secured independently of any prisoner exchange framework with Moscow.

Trump additionally connected Hubbard's liberation to the recent pause implemented regarding specific American trade tariffs and sanctions directed at Moscow. Trump mentioned on Tuesday that he had personally appealed to Putin for Hubbard's freedom. Following the development, Witkoff conveyed that Trump and the entire nation extended their appreciation for Stephen Hubbard's release, describing Putin as a humanitarian.