Russia releases wrongfully detained US citizen Hubbard following Witkoff-Putin meeting
The Michigan native, 74, was detained in Ukraine in 2024. Russia’s judiciary alleged that he was fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine in the war, though his family denied the claims.
Russia released US citizen Stephen Hubbard from a Russian prison on Wednesday, following a meeting between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Hubbard, a 74-year-old Michigan native, was detained in Ukraine in 2024, with Russian authorities alleging he was fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. However, Hubbard's family and lawyer disputed these claims, stating that he was wrongly detained and that Russian troops entered his home.
The release of Hubbard was announced shortly after Witkoff's arrival in Russia, with the Kremlin chief confirming Hubbard's presence at an airport in St. Petersburg. The State Department maintained that Hubbard had been wrongfully detained, and officials expressed disappointment at Russia's refusal to grant US consular access to Hubbard during his imprisonment.
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- American Stephen Hubbard released by Russia, Steve Witkoff says cbsnews.com
- Putin says Russia has freed US citizen Stephen Hubbard thenationalnews.com
- Witkoff in Russia for Putin meeting after ‘positive’ talks with Zelenskyy aljazeera.com
