Russia frees American prisoner after over 4 years during a U.S. envoy visit

On Wednesday, Russia released an American prisoner, Stephen Hubbard, who had been incarcerated for over four years on charges related to his alleged role as a mercenary in Ukraine. This release took place during a visit by a top U.S. envoy to Moscow and came at a time when President Donald Trump had taken several actions to benefit Moscow.

Hubbard, a 74-year-old former teacher from Michigan, was granted his freedom following a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump stated that he had asked Putin to release Hubbard during the call, and unlike previous releases, no prisoner was given up in exchange. Upon his return home, Hubbard was greeted by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who thanked Putin for the release, saying, "Because of you, he’s going home to his family."

Witkoff, known for his efforts to mediate a settlement between Russia and Ukraine, emphasized the humanitarian aspect of Hubbard's release. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attributed the decision to release Hubbard to Putin's humanitarian considerations. The release occurred amidst a tense period for U.S.-Russia-Ukraine relations, with the U.S. government designating Hubbard as wrongfully detained, while advocates argue that other Americans held in Russia should also be released.

Hubbard joins a list of Americans freed by Russia in the past two months, including Marine veteran Robert Gilman, who was released in August after being gravely ill and imprisoned for disputed assault charges. Other Americans remain incarcerated in Russia. While Hubbard's release is welcomed by Global Reach, a group working to free American detainees abroad, the organization calls for the release of the remaining five other American prisoners held in Russia.