Son of detained American Stephen Hubbard reacts to Russia releasing him after 4 years

Father Joseph Coleman expressed relief upon learning his father, Stephen Hubbard, had been released from a Russian prison. The Greek Orthodox priest and his father shared a brief phone conversation last year, during which Hubbard mentioned feelings of extreme tiredness and a leaning towards suicidal thoughts. Coleman, who lives in Cyprus, was not aware of Hubbard's whereabouts for three years after his detention.

Hubbard, a U.S. citizen, had been imprisoned in Russia for over four years on accusations of fighting for Ukraine, a claim the U.S. government deemed wrongful. President Trump stated that Putin had agreed to release Hubbard without a swap, though he also mentioned waiving new sanctions against Russia played a role. On Wednesday, Hubbard's release was announced during a meeting between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Upon learning of his father's release, Coleman described it as a small step toward peace in the larger conflict and attributed the decision to compassion and mercy. He said he wanted to embrace his father and personally assess his health, giving Hubbard time to adjust to his newfound freedom. Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired schoolteacher, was captured in Ukraine shortly after Russia's invasion in 2022 and sentenced to nearly seven years in a penal colony following a closed-door trial.

His legal team found no evidence supporting the charges, and they had repeatedly sought evidence substantiating the claims. Despite the release, as many as 20 Americans remain imprisoned in Russia, and the State Department continues to warn against traveling to the country due to the risk of wrongful detention.