Russia Frees Detained American Teacher Stephen Hubbard After 3 Years
Category: World News | Date: October 21, 2026 Sources: USA Today | Detroit Free Press Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a 73-year-old retired Michigan teacher who had been imprisoned in Russia since 2022. President Donald Trump announced the release on Wednesday, calling it "a truly big and important deal for the U.S." Hubbard, a native of Big Rapids, Michigan, was living in Ukraine when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. He was captured and taken to Moscow, where Russian authorities convicted him of fighting as a mercenary and sentenced him to seven years in prison. The U.S. State Department classified him as wrongfully detained. Trump revealed the news on his Truth Social platform, writing: "Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family. Welcome home Stephen, it's great to have you back." How the Release Happened The release came as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to d...