What Happened to Stephen Hubbard in Ukraine? Timeline of His Capture, Trial and Release

Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American former schoolteacher, has been released from Russian custody after more than four years of detention following allegations that he fought for Ukraine against Russian forces. His release was confirmed by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Oct. 21, 2026.

Hubbard’s case drew international attention because of questions surrounding his capture, a closed trial in Moscow and his family’s doubts about the allegations against him. His release also comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts by Washington and Moscow over the war in Ukraine.

Hubbard’s Life Before the War

Hubbard grew up in Big Rapids, Michigan, and served in the U.S. Air Force and National Guard, according to military records cited by The New York Times. He later earned a master’s degree in English and spent approximately 25 years teaching English in Japan.

He subsequently moved to Cyprus before settling in Izyum, a city in eastern Ukraine, in 2014. According to his sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, he lived there with a Ukrainian partner and survived on a pension of approximately $300 per month. The siblings last spoke in September 2021, several months before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Hubbard’s circumstances changed dramatically after the conflict escalated in February 2022. His family later struggled to establish reliable contact with him as he remained in Russian custody.

His Capture After Russia’s Invasion

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces captured Izyum approximately two months later. Russian state media reported that Hubbard had been detained in April 2022, alleging that he was manning a checkpoint for Ukrainian forces.

However, the precise circumstances of his capture could not be independently established by Reuters. His family’s account also raised questions about the Russian version of events.

Fox said she recognized her brother in a YouTube video showing a man being questioned about his views on Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war. Another video appeared to show the man with his hands bound while being struck with a sandal. Reuters could not independently verify when or where the videos were recorded.

The available accounts left significant questions about Hubbard’s activities in Ukraine and the circumstances that led to his detention.

A Closed Trial and a Disputed Conviction

In October 2024, a Moscow court convicted Hubbard of being a mercenary following a closed trial and sentenced him to six years and 10 months in prison. Russian prosecutors alleged that he had joined a Ukrainian territorial defense unit, received military training, weapons and ammunition, and been promised $1,000 per month.

Russian state media reported that Hubbard had pleaded guilty. His sister, however, questioned that account, arguing that he held pro-Russian views and was unlikely to have taken up arms in his seventies.

In June 2025, Hubbard’s U.S.-based lawyer, Martin De Luca, told Reuters that his client denied the allegations. According to De Luca, Hubbard said he had not belonged to a combat or military unit and that Russian soldiers had taken him from his home.

The conflicting accounts made Hubbard’s case particularly contentious. While Russian authorities prosecuted him as a mercenary, his family and lawyer challenged the accusations and questioned the circumstances surrounding his detention.

Washington Designates Hubbard Wrongfully Detained

In January 2025, the U.S. government formally designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained, allowing Washington to pursue diplomatic efforts to secure his release.

The State Department said Russia had refused to provide U.S. officials with consular access. The New York Times reported in February 2025 that Hubbard had been transferred through at least five Russian detention centers before his trial.

His lawyer later said the legal team learned in April 2025 that Hubbard was being held at a facility in the Mordovia region, east of Moscow.

The prolonged detention raised concerns about Hubbard’s health and his family’s limited ability to communicate with him. By the time his release was announced, he was reported to be in poor health.

Release During Putin’s Meeting With Witkoff

On Oct. 21, 2026, Putin announced Hubbard’s release during a meeting with Witkoff in St. Petersburg. Video from the meeting showed the U.S. envoy thanking Putin, saying the American was going home to his family.

U.S. officials expected Hubbard to be flown to Texas for treatment at a military hospital. The terms of his release, including whether Washington made specific concessions, were not immediately clear.

Read more