Russia releases American Stephen Hubbard after years in prison

Summary

Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, an American jailed in Russia since 2022, according to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump, CBS News reports. NPR reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin freed the 74-year-old Michigan native from a Russian prison following a request from Trump. Al Jazeera reports that Hubbard was jailed after being accused of fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia. Citing Russian state media, The New York Times reports that the release buys goodwill with Trump while costing Putin, who is wanted for war crimes, little.

Timeline

1. CBS News

   21 Oct 2026, 13:15 UTCSource ↗

   CBS News reports that Stephen Hubbard, an American jailed in Russia since 2022, has been released, according to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump.

2. Al Jazeera

   21 Oct 2026, 14:31 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that Russia has released American Stephen Hubbard after four years in prison, and that he was jailed after being accused of fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia.

3. The New York Times

   21 Oct 2026, 18:58 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times reports, citing Russian state media, that Russia has released American Stephen Hubbard from prison, and says the move buys goodwill with President Trump while costing Vladimir Putin little.

4. NPR

   21 Oct 2026, 22:39 UTCSource ↗

   NPR reports that Putin has freed 74-year-old Michigan native Stephen Hubbard from a Russian prison following a request from President Trump.