American Stephen Hubbard freed from Russian prison after four years; Kremlin denies swap
Photo: APStephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired teacher from Michigan, was freed from a Russian prison on Wednesday after more than four years and has landed back in the United States, President Donald Trump said. Hubbard was taken to San Antonio for evaluation. He was accused of fighting alongside Ukrainian forces after Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion and was sentenced in 2024, in closed court proceedings, to nearly seven years. The Biden administration had designated him wrongfully detained, and his legal team denied he took part in any military activity. Trump said he asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to free Hubbard in a phone call earlier this month. On Friday, the Kremlin denied that Russia released him in exchange for the recent release of a Russian war blogger detained in Montenegro.
Alternative sources (Reuters, AP) split: Reuters leads with the Kremlin's denial of an exchange, while AP leads with his sister's account in San Antonio. Right-leaning outlets mirror both angles, with Newsmax carrying the Kremlin denial and the New York Post running the sister's interview, including claims of starvation and beatings. Left-leaning CBS News gives a short report of his landing, citing Trump.
How the sides differ Left sources report Hubbard's return briefly via Trump; alternative and right sources split between his sister's account of captivity and the Kremlin's denial of a prisoner exchange.
Headline, comparison and summary written by AI from the articles below. AI can make mistakes, so check the original articles before relying on a detail.
- HuffPostSister Of American Held In Russia Says He Didn't Know He Was Being Released Until He Saw U.S. Flag
CBS News briefly reports that Hubbard, held more than four years, has landed in the U.S., citing President Trump, with a correspondent's report attached.
Reuters leads with the Kremlin denying a swap for a Russian war blogger; AP leads with his sister saying he didn't know he was being freed until he saw the U.S. flag.
- New York PostSister of American held in Russia says he didn’t know he was being released until he saw US flag
Newsmax carries the Kremlin's denial of an exchange, while the New York Post features his sister Patricia Hubbard Fox's account of abuse, his relief, and Trump's request to Putin.