Key facts
- Stephen Hubbard, 74, a retired U.S. teacher, was freed from Russian captivity.
- He was captured in Izyum, Ukraine, in 2022.
- Hubbard was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison.
- His family disputes the Russian accusation that he was a mercenary.
- U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was involved in securing his release.
Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired U.S. schoolteacher, has been freed from Russian captivity after being imprisoned following his capture in Izyum, Ukraine, in 2022. A photo shared on October 21, 2026, shows him heading home with his family. Hubbard was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison by a Russian court, which accused him of fighting as a mercenary, a charge his family disputes. His son, Father Joseph Coleman, expressed overwhelming relief and joy at his father's release, noting that Hubbard appeared healthier than expected despite potential mistreatment and emotional trauma from his time in captivity. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was involved in securing Hubbard's freedom, though Witkoff's public praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin drew criticism from U.S. senators.