Putin released 74-year-old American. Stephen Hubbard has been freed.

Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher from Michigan, was captured during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He lived in Izium with his Ukrainian partner before being detained in April 2022. Russian authorities accused him of fighting for Ukraine, but his family claims he was taken by soldiers. In October 2024, he was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison. The U.S. government recognized him as unlawfully detained, leading to negotiations for his release. In January 2025, he was freed and is currently at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, awaiting a flight back to the U.S.