Stephen Hubbard released in Russia after talks involving Putin and U.S. envoy

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on 21 October 2026 that the American citizen Stephen Hubbard has been released from custody and is now at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, a development confirmed by the U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff during his visit to the city.

Diplomatic talks and a direct appeal

Witkoff, who met Putin in St. Petersburg for what both described as their ninth one-on-one meeting, confirmed Hubbard's release and expressed gratitude to the Russian president. The envoy had travelled to St. Petersburg to discuss prospects for an end to the war in Ukraine; earlier on Tuesday he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo.

U.S. President Donald Trump had recently raised Hubbard's case directly with Putin. "It's time for Hubbard to come home," Trump said on Tuesday in Washington, adding that he had "thoroughly" discussed the matter with Putin and suggesting then that a breakthrough might be imminent.

Hubbard, a retired teacher, was detained in 2022 and in October 2024 was sentenced in Moscow to nearly seven years in prison on charges of being a paid fighter for Ukraine. Hubbard, his family and his American lawyer deny the accusations; the trial was held behind closed doors. At the time of sentencing he was 72 years old.

Allegations about Hubbard's treatment in detention have circulated previously: a former Ukrainian inmate who shared a cell with him told reporters in autumn 2024 that Hubbard, like other detainees, had been subjected to torture including food deprivation and electric shocks.

The release marks a sudden turn in a case that has been raised at the highest political level between Washington and Moscow. Russian and American officials have not provided a public timetable for Hubbard's onward travel, but Putin's statement placed him at Pulkovo airport on the evening of 21 October 2026.

Photo: press material from the event