US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev attend a meeting with Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired U.S. schoolteacher who was recently freed after serving a prison sentence in Russia following his conviction on mercenary charges, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on October 21, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters
A retired U.S. teacher freed by President Vladimir Putin after four years' detention in Russia for allegedly fighting on behalf of Ukraine has returned to the United States, his lawyer said on Thursday (October 22, 2026).
"Yes he has landed back," Stephen Hubbard's lawyer Martin De Luca told AFP, without providing details.
U.S. President Donald Trump posted photos early Thursday (October 22, 2026) showing Mr. Hubbard smiling as he posed with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Another photo showed the former English teacher, who is in his 70s, posing with unidentified people on a small plane, holding up an American flag with two members of the group.
Mr. Trump said Mr. Hubbard was released without the United States having to agree to a prisoner swap. However the Republican leader lifted some sanctions on Russia ahead of the release and also agreed to purchase Russian diesel — a boon to the Kremlin's ability to finance its continued invasion of Ukraine.
Mr. Witkoff was in Russia on Wednesday (October 21, 2026) to meet with Mr. Putin. The Russian leader said afterward that Moscow was ready in principle to rejoin talks with Ukraine and the United States to end the war.
Mr. Hubbard's family and lawyers have said he was living in the Ukrainian city of Izium when he was taken captive by Russia in 2022. He was sentenced to almost seven years in prison, accused of acting as a "mercenary" for Kyiv. He denies the charges.
A Ukrainian who was held with Mr. Hubbard told AFP that the American was tortured in custody.
Published - October 22, 2026 11:00 pm IST