Russia releases American teacher imprisoned on Ukraine mercenary charges after Trump pressed Putin

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Briefing Summary

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NEWSAR · AI

Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a retired U.S. teacher from Michigan, who was imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. Hubbard was sentenced in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison after prosecutors alleged he signed a contract with the Ukrainian military and fought with them following Russia's invasion in February 2022. The release followed appeals from President Donald Trump, who stated he had spoken at length with President Putin about Hubbard's case. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed the release.

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Article analysis

Model · rule-based

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Human Interest

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Key claims

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Prosecutors alleged Hubbard signed a contract with the Ukrainian military after Russia's invasion and fought until his capture.

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President Donald Trump had pressed Russian President Putin for Hubbard's release.

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Hubbard was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison on charges of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine.

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Russia has released American teacher Stephen Hubbard, imprisoned on Ukraine mercenary charges.

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Full report

1 min read · 222 words

Fox News Media Fox News MediaFox BusinessFox NationFox News AudioFox WeatherOutkickFox NoticiasBooks Russia Russia has released Michigan native Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher sentenced to nearly seven years in prison on mercenary charges, following appeals from President Donald Trump. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Russia has freed a retired U.S. teacher who was locked up on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, according to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. The Michigan man, Stephen Hubbard, had been sentenced in 2024 to almost seven years imprisonment.Prosecutors said he had signed a contract with the Ukrainian military after Russia-sent-troops-into-Ukraine" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="220603" data-entity-type="event">Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, and that he fought alongside them until being captured two months later. A screen set up at a hall of the Moscow City Court broadcasts the verdict announcement in the trial of US citizen Stephen Hubbard, 72, accused of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine, in Moscow on October 7, 2024. (NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images) "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," President Donald Trump had said on Tuesday. "Let's see what happens." The Associated Press contributed to this report This is a breaking news story and will be updated Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.

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