Russia Releases American Hubbard From Prison

A U.S. teacher was released from a Russian prison after being held on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.

President Donald Trump secured the release of Stephen Hubbard, who was freed on Wednesday.

"Stephen Hubbard, taken four years ago by Russia during the Biden Administration, was just released from prison, at the request of President Donald J. Trump, made directly to President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation last week," according to a Truth Social post Wednesday morning.

"Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family. The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return - an unprecedented situation for Russia. There was no ‘swap’ necessary for this release. This major return should have taken place long ago through the Biden Administration, which got nowhere in its negotiations with the Kremlin. Stephen is on his way back home,” the post continued.

"'Welcome home Stephen, it’s great to have you back,'" Trump said, according to the post.

Hubbard, a Michigan man, was sentenced in 2024 to almost seven years in prison. Prosecutors said he had signed a contract with the Ukrainian military after Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. They said he fought alongside them until being captured two months later.

U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff told Russian President Vladimir Putin of Hubbard during a Wednesday meeting that "because of you, he's going home to his family."

"He's a 75-year-old man," Witkoff said. He described Putin as a "humanitarian."

Trump noted on Tuesday that he had been in communication with Putin about Hubbard.