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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Russia releases American teacher imprisoned on Ukraine mercenary charges after Trump pressed Putin |
| 2026-10-21 |
| [CBS News] Stephen Hubbard, a U.S. citizen who was jailed in Russia for more than four years after being accused of fighting for Ukraine, has been released from custody, Russian state news agencies reported Wednesday, citing President Vladimir Putin as saying the American was at an airport in St. Petersburg. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed the release, according to The Associated Press. Trump administration officials, including Witkoff, were in St. Petersburg Wednesday for talks with Putin and other senior Russian officials expected to focus on the Ukraine war, but to include other matters. Russian state news agencies said Hubbard was at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport and that Witkoff had thanked Putin for freeing the American during their meeting on Wednesday. Hubbard, a 74-year-old Michigan native, was the last American in Russia whom the State Department had formally declared wrongfully detained. As many as 10 other Americans, including dual nationals, remain in Russian custody. Hubbard, who is in poor health, was expected to be flown to Texas for treatment at a military hospital. President Trump hinted at a possible breakthrough in the case on Tuesday, telling reporters in the Oval Office he had personally pressed Russian President Vladimir Putin to secure Hubbard's release. "Everybody's been after Hubbard for a long time, long before I got here," Mr. Trump said. "I've been talking to President Putin about Mr. Hubbard. I've been talking to him at length. I've asked him to release him." Related: Stephen Hubbard 08/12/2026 Russia frees former US marine jailed for more than 4 years Stephen Hubbard 10/08/2024 Ukrainian Perspective: Invasion of Ukraine: October 7, 2024 |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #2 |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2026-10-21 08:02 |
| #1 |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2026-10-21 06:08 |