Russia frees U.S. citizen Stephen Hubbard after diplomatic intervention

Putin Frees US Citizen Stephen Hubbard

Putin freed a 74‑year‑old American prisoner just hours after former President Trump asked for his release. The man, Stephen Hubbard from Michigan, had been captured by Russian forces in Izyum in 2022. A closed trial in 2024 sentenced him to almost seven years in a penal colony. Source one lists his age at release as 74, while source two says he was 72 when sentenced. The release was announced in Saint Petersburg as Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff met at the Kremlin. Hubbard was taken straight to Pulkovo Airport, where Putin said he was now free. Trump later said the move shows his willingness to negotiate directly with Moscow on the Ukraine war.