JUST IN: Trump Secures Release Of American Political Prisoner From Russia

Russia on Wednesday released 74-year-old American Stephen James Hubbard from custody following a direct request from President Donald Trump to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The release occurred during a meeting in St. Petersburg between Putin and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who was in Russia for discussions related to the war in Ukraine.

Hubbard, a retired English teacher from Big Rapids, Michigan, had been held since April 2022. He had lived in the eastern Ukrainian city of Izyum since 2014 after earlier periods teaching English in Japan and Cyprus.

Russian authorities accused him of serving as a mercenary for Ukrainian forces, claiming he signed a contract with the Ukrainian military, received training and equipment, and participated in hostilities before his capture. A Moscow court convicted him in a closed trial in October 2024 and sentenced him to six years and ten months in prison.

Hubbard’s family and U.S. officials disputed the charges. His sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, and others described him as non-military and said he was taken from his home.

.@POTUS: "The other day, I was talking to Vladimir Putin about settling his war with Ukraine… I mentioned, 'Could you let Stephen Hubbard out please?' and he agreed to do it. He was met today in Russia — and he's on his way back." https://t.co/SGN7UaJuB3 pic.twitter.com/SLP3Dy4VNM

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 21, 2026

The U.S. State Department formally designated him wrongfully detained in January 2025, the last American in Russia holding that status at the time of his release. Reports noted concerns about his health during detention, including declining physical condition.

Putin informed Witkoff of the release during their meeting, and Hubbard was taken to Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg. Witkoff thanked Putin, stating that the Russian president had acted in a humanitarian manner, and later met briefly with Hubbard, who expressed thanks for the efforts to secure his freedom.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the release was done on humanitarian grounds, accounting for Hubbard’s health and Trump’s request. A U.S. official confirmed Hubbard had left Russia and was en route to the United States, where family members were awaiting him.

His lawyer, Martin De Luca, described him as overjoyed though in a fragile state after speaking with him prior to departure. Hubbard’s son, Joseph Coleman, issued a statement on behalf of the family expressing appreciation for the roles of both Trump and Putin and noting long-standing concerns for his father’s safety and health.

“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. Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family,” President Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post.

“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,” the president added.

“Stephen is on his way back home. ‘Welcome home Stephen, it’s great to have you back,’ stated President Trump.”

Trump had indicated the prior day that he had raised the case with Putin and that developments could occur soon. In a separate post, he linked the outcome to his administration’s decision not to impose additional sanctions on Russia in recent days, stating that such sanctions would have halted the negotiations.

Other American citizens remain in Russian custody as of this report, though none currently carry the formal “wrongfully detained” designation that Hubbard held.

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