American Freed From Russian Prison Reunites With Family After Four Years

Stephen Hubbard, an American freed Wednesday after more than four years in a Russian prison, expressed disbelief during a phone call with his sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, who described him as laughing and saying he couldn't believe his release was happening. President Donald Trump said he requested Hubbard's release from Russian President Vladimir Putin during a call earlier this month. Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired teacher from Michigan, was flown out of Russia by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who also discussed the war in Ukraine with Putin. Hubbard's sister said he suffered beatings and starvation in captivity and now has an enlarged heart and likely PTSD. He was sentenced in 2024 to nearly seven years for allegedly fighting with Ukrainian forces, a claim his family and legal team dispute.