---
title: "Stephen Hubbard Released from Russian Custody After Almost Seven Years"
url: https://noti.group/stephen-hubbard-released-from-russian-custody-after-almost-seven-years/
language: en
publisher: "Noti Group"
section: "World News"
published: 2026-10-21T12:32:01.000Z
updated: 2026-10-21T13:52:11.764Z
id: 6a0a3725-fe42-4b98-b8d6-1ee7d75c82dd
source: "BBC News World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6m24l9v3745o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/stephen-hubbard-released-from-russian-custody-after-almost-seven-years/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Stephen Hubbard Released from Russian Custody After Almost Seven Years

US citizen Stephen Hubbard has been released by Russian authorities after being jailed for allegedly fighting on behalf of Ukraine.

A 74-year-old American citizen has been released by Russian authorities after being jailed for allegedly fighting on behalf of Ukraine. Stephen Hubbard was among a group of people detained and sentenced to almost seven years in a penal colony in 2024.

The charges against Hubbard alleged that he had served in a defense unit in Izyum, Ukraine, when he was captured by Russian forces shortly after Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022. This release comes as President Vladimir Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg for talks on Wednesday morning.

President Donald Trump confirmed Hubbard's release on social media, stating that the former teacher was "on his way back home and that no prisoner swap had been necessary. The US president also claimed to have made a direct request to Putin last week for Hubbard's release, which led to this outcome.

Trump's statement comes as some observers might question the timing of Hubbard's release in relation to Trump's decision to suspend sanctions on Russia just two days before they were due to come into force.

The release of Stephen Hubbard by Russia has been met with praise from the US envoy to Moscow, who credited President Putin for showing humanitarianism in the decision.

Hubbard's health had reportedly deteriorated while in Russian custody, prompting concerns about his well-being and treatment. He is now expected to be flown back to Texas for medical attention, according to CBS News.

Witkoff's comments during the meeting with Putin highlighted the positive tone of their discussions, as he acknowledged the Russian leader's efforts to address the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

The US envoy also used the opportunity to discuss ongoing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, urging President Putin to consider renewing trilateral negotiations to bring an end to the conflict that has been raging for five years.

The Ukrainian government has accused Washington of halting intelligence sharing on Russian strikes, which allegedly led to losses in lives among Ukrainians. However, this claim was dismissed by US officials as scandalous. The restriction on the Starshield internet service during Ukraine's war effort was also seen as deliberate.

Following talks between US and Ukrainian officials in Oslo, it has been confirmed that intelligence sharing has resumed. According to a US official, these discussions were described as constructive", paving the way for renewed cooperation.

The resumption of intelligence sharing comes at a crucial time, with Ukraine's president emphasizing that the outcome of negotiations depends on whether the US can elicit new commitments from Russia regarding peace efforts. This message was conveyed through social media, highlighting the importance of meaningful dialogue in resolving the conflict.

Meanwhile, in St Petersburg, discussions between the US and Russian delegations touched on various topics, including the outcome of the Oslo talks. According to reports, documents outlining approaches to the peace process were presented by the US envoy. These exchanges also covered other issues such as economic cooperation with the US and a possible meeting in China.

The developments mark a positive turn in relations between the two nations, with large quantities of fertiliser reportedly set to be supplied from Russia to the American market under an agreement reached during the talks.

---
Source: [BBC News World](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6m24l9v3745o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)  
Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/stephen-hubbard-released-from-russian-custody-after-almost-seven-years/