According to Russian RBC news agency, American citizen Stephen Hubbard, who had been detained in Russia for more than four years after being visited by U.S. special envoy Steve Wietzke in Saint Petersburg, was released.
According to CNN, before Wittke set off for Moscow, a U.S. official said that the envoy’s trip was expected to include efforts to secure the release of American citizen Hubbard who has been improperly detained. This demonstrates President Trump’s commitment to bringing American citizens back home.
Haberd was previously identified by the U.S. State Department as a U.S. citizen who was subjected to “improper detention.” U.S. President Trump stated on Tuesday that he had mentioned Haberd’s case to Russian President Putin.
Hubbard worked as an English teacher abroad for several decades. In 2014, he moved to the eastern Ukrainian city of Iguum. In 2022, Iguum was occupied by Russian troops.
According to Russian official media reports, the Russian prosecution accused Hubbard of signing a contract with a monthly salary of approximately $1,000, and subsequently participating in combat operations in Ijum. However, Hubbard’s sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, stated that this accusation is completely false.
Hubbard is another American citizen who was released from Russian custody recently. In August this year, Robert Gilman was released by Russia on a humanitarian basis on a Tuesday due to serious concerns regarding his health.
Gilman is a retired U.S. Marine. When he returned to the United States on a specialized medical flight, he was severely emaciated. The organization that fought for his release stated that Gilman had been subjected to torture during his detention in Russia.
