Americans Detained in Russia: Nine Still Held After Teacher's Release

Russia freed retired US schoolteacher Stephen Hubbard on Wednesday during new US-Russia talks on Ukraine, while at least nine other publicly identified Americans remain imprisoned in Russia. Hubbard had been formally designated as wrongfully detained by the US State Department, a status that intensified efforts for his release. Other detainees include Aleksandr Antonov, sentenced to six years for extremism; Chuck Zimmerman, a Navy veteran jailed five years for arms smuggling; and Gordon Black, an Army staff sergeant serving time for theft. Daniel Schneider received six years for kidnapping his son, while Michael Travis Leake and Robert Romanov Woodland face drug-related sentences of 13 and 9.5 years respectively. Eugene Spector was convicted of espionage and sentenced to 15 years, David Barnes received 21 years for child abuse charges he denies, and Andre Khachatoorian is serving eight years for arms smuggling. Some detainees lack the wrongful detention designation, potentially limiting US government efforts on their behalf.