WorldRussia releases US prisoner Stephen Hubbard during Witkoff visit

Russia released U.S. citizen Stephen Hubbard on Oct. 21, the same day U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff visited. Russian state media said Vladimir Putin announced the release during their meeting and said Hubbard had already been taken to the airport. Hubbard had been sentenced in Moscow for allegedly fighting for Ukraine; the U.S. State Department has designated him wrongfully detained.

RussiaUS detaineesStephen HubbardSteve Witkoff

TThe Kyiv Independent★★★★☆2026-10-21 09:59Original