Key facts
- Former Ukrainian prisoners allege Stephen Hubbard was subjected to torture, including beatings, electrocution, and sexual humiliation, by Russian guards.
- Hubbard was captured in Izyum in April 2022 and accused of serving in Ukraine's armed forces.
- He was sentenced to six years and 10 months in prison.
- Prisoners reported harsh conditions including cold, lack of food and medical care, and scabies.
- Hubbard was released after four-and-a-half years, coinciding with a meeting between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin.
Former Ukrainian prisoners have detailed alleged torture and abuse of US citizen Stephen Hubbard during his four-year detention in Russian prisons. Dmytro Khyliuk and Ihor Shyshko, who were held alongside Hubbard, described witnessing guards mock, beat, and electrocute him, and subject him to sexual humiliation. They stated his nationality made him a target for harsher treatment, including being forced to learn Russian and sing the national anthem. Hubbard, a retired English teacher living in Izyum, was captured in April 2022 and accused of serving in Ukraine's armed forces, leading to a conviction and sentence of six years and 10 months. The accounts corroborate claims by Hubbard's family that he was tortured, with reports of inadequate food, medical care, and extreme cold. Shyshko alleged that Hubbard's wounds festered due to lack of care and that he was forced into stress positions and bitten by a guard dog. Khyliuk also claimed Hubbard was hidden from International Red Cross visitors to conceal his condition. Hubbard was released after four-and-a-half years, shortly after a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff. US President Donald Trump had previously stated he asked Putin to free Hubbard.