Russia releases retired American teacher Stephen Hubbard

Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired American schoolteacher, has returned to the United States after being released from Russian custody on October 21, 2026. Hubbard, a native of Big Rapids, Michigan, who previously taught in Japan and Cyprus, was arrested in April 2022 in the Ukrainian city of Izyum. In October 2024, a Moscow court convicted him of serving as a mercenary for Ukraine during a closed trial, sentencing him to six years and 10 months in prison.

The release was secured following negotiations between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the pardon was granted at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump and in consideration of Hubbard’s deteriorating health. The U.S. government had officially designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained in January 2025, a status that facilitated high-level diplomatic efforts for his freedom.

While the release is viewed as a potential step toward de-escalation, Witkoff’s public praise of Putin drew criticism from lawmakers in the United States. Following the exchange, officials from both nations signaled that technical-level discussions involving the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine are expected to continue in the future regarding the ongoing conflict.