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US citizen Stephen Hubbard freed by Russia after talks with Trump envoy

1 reports1 sources10/21/2026 updated

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Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the release of American citizen Stephen Hubbard, who was jailed for allegedly fighting on behalf of Ukraine, and he was taken to Pulkovo Airport. This followed talks between Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg. Hubbard, a former Michigan resident, had been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison.

Written with AI from the reporting · updated 10/21/2026

Latest developmentOct 21, 17:22
Russia releases American Stephen Hubbard ahead of Trump envoy talks with Putin
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  1. 1Unclassified fact stationOct 21, 00:00recorded Oct 21, 17:44single sourcerevised

    US citizen Stephen Hubbard freed by Russia

    Read original source ↗ BBC WorldReplay this moment in the explorer
    Evidence & revisions · 1 source records
    Subject：
    Stephen Hubbard
    Action：
    freed
    Object：
    Russia
    Occurred (fact side)：
    Oct 21, 00:00
    BBC World ↗Report pageRevision 5 · currently revised
    Published (valid side)：
    Oct 21, 17:22
    First seen (known side)：
    Oct 21, 17:44
    Fact stationSingle source · one-sided claimRevised

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Oct 21
  1. BBC WorldRelated fact: single sourceSource report revised
    Russia releases American Stephen Hubbard ahead of Trump envoy talks with Putin

    Report first recorded Oct 21, 17:44

    Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the release of 72-year-old American citizen Stephen Hubbard, who was jailed in 2024 for allegedly fighting for Ukraine. Hubbard was taken to Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg ahead of talks between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin. Prosecutors said he served in a defence unit in Izyum and was captured by Russian forces two years ago.

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