The release of Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old US citizen detained in Russia for more than four years, marks a new development in Washington’s efforts to secure the freedom of Americans held by Moscow. US envoy Steve Witkoff announced Hubbard’s release during diplomatic discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.

Hubbard, a retired educator from Michigan, had been designated by the US government as wrongfully detained. President Donald Trump had reportedly brought the case to Putin’s attention earlier in the week.

During their meeting, Witkoff conveyed the American administration’s appreciation for the decision, emphasizing that Hubbard would be able to reunite with his relatives. Putin indicated that the American was at Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg, where arrangements for his departure were underway.

US officials had signaled before Witkoff’s trip that securing Hubbard’s release was among the issues they intended to raise. The State Department had not yet provided a further public response at the time of the original report.

Hubbard spent years living overseas while working as an English teacher. He settled in Izyum, eastern Ukraine, in 2014. The city later came under Russian control following the expansion of the war in 2022.

Russian authorities accused Hubbard of fighting alongside Ukrainian forces in exchange for monthly payment. Russian media reports put the alleged amount at roughly $1,000. His sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, strongly disputed the accusation.

Americans Still Detained in Russia

Hubbard’s departure comes amid continuing concerns about other US citizens held in Russian prisons. Robert Gilman, a former Marine, was released in August on humanitarian grounds after concerns arose about his deteriorating health. He returned to America aboard a medical transport aircraft. Advocates working on his case alleged that he had suffered torture during his imprisonment.

Other cases remain unresolved:

• Andre Khachatoorian: The American, who has Armenian heritage, was arrested in Moscow in 2021 while traveling toward Armenia. He received an eight-and-a-half-year prison sentence in a case involving alleged arms trafficking, accusations he denies.
• David Barnes: Arrested in 2022, Barnes became involved in a case stemming from allegations made by his former wife after she took their children from Texas to Russia. The Foley Foundation says the abuse claims had previously been rejected by Texas authorities on two occasions.
• Aleksander Antonov: Born in the Soviet Union and later granted US citizenship, Antonov was detained in 2025 while attempting to enter Estonia from Russia. The Foley Foundation reports that authorities accused him of anti-Russian views and that he was sentenced to six years for offenses related to terrorism and extremism.
• Olga Jezler: A permanent US resident, Jezler was sentenced to a decade in prison in 2022 in a Russian drug case. Her advocates maintain that the substance involved was legal CBD oil she was bringing for her sister, who had breast cancer. They allege Russian authorities improperly identified it as hashish oil.
• Chuck Zimmerman: Supporters identify Zimmerman as a Navy veteran whose vessel was intercepted by Russian naval forces in international waters. Russian authorities charged him with arms trafficking after a firearm was reportedly found aboard.

After Gilman’s return, a US State Department representative expressed hope that his case would help advance the release of additional Americans detained in Russia.

Diplomatic Tensions Surround the Release

Hubbard’s release comes as international efforts to negotiate an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine continue amid disagreements between Washington and Kyiv. Relations between the Trump administration and the Ukrainian government have faced recent challenges involving intelligence cooperation, access to Starlink communications and the timing of military assistance.

Before arriving in Russia, Witkoff met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Norway. Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also participated in efforts aimed at improving communication between the parties.

Although Hubbard’s release provides relief to his family, other Americans remain imprisoned in Russia. Their cases continue to pose a challenge for US diplomatic efforts as officials pursue negotiations with Moscow while addressing the broader conflict in Ukraine.