Russia has released an American sentenced for fighting on the side of Ukraine. Who is Stephen Hubbard?

Stephen Hubbard, an American teacher, was detained by Russian forces in April 2022 during the invasion of Ukraine. He had lived in Ukraine with his partner and previously taught English in Japan. His sister recognized him in a video where he was interrogated. In October 2024, he was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison for mercenary activities, which he denied. U.S. authorities later classified him as unlawfully detained, facilitating negotiations for his release. On October 21, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Hubbard's release during a meeting with a U.S. envoy, marking the end of his captivity as the last American held in Russia.