Putin orders release of American teacher imprisoned in Russia since 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the release of Stephen James Hubbard, an American teacher captured by Russian forces in Ukraine in April 2022 and later convicted of mercenary activity by a Russian court.
Putin said Hubbard was already at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport, preparing to return to the United States, according to Russian state media. His departure from Russia has not yet been independently confirmed.
The announcement came as US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in St. Petersburg for talks with Putin. Russian state media reported that Witkoff thanked Putin for Hubbard's release.
Hubbard, whom The Moscow Times identified as a 74-year-old Michigan native, was captured in Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, during Russia's occupation of the city.
Russian authorities accused him of joining Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces as a mercenary. In October 2024, a Russian court sentenced him to six years and ten months in prison.
The United States has maintained that Hubbard was wrongfully detained and called for his release.
According to previous reporting by The New York Times, Ukrainian prisoners of war held alongside Hubbard described repeated abuse, including beatings, prolonged forced standing, inadequate food and insufficient medical care.
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he had personally asked Putin to release Hubbard ahead of Witkoff's visit.
"I've asked him to release him. Let's see what happens," Trump told reporters at the White House.