Russia Releases American Teacher Imprisoned During Biden Administration

President Donald Trump announced that Russia has released American teacher Stephen Hubbard, who was imprisoned during the Biden administration.

Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired American English teacher and U.S. military veteran from Michigan, was held by Russia after being detained in Ukraine in April 2022 during the Russian occupation of Izium (Izyum), where he had lived since 2014 teaching English.

Russian authorities said he was detained while manning a Ukrainian military checkpoint, alleging he had joined a Ukrainian territorial defense unit shortly after the February 2022 invasion, received training, weapons, and ammunition, and was promised about $1,000 a month.

President Trump shared on Truth Social, “Stephen Hubbard, taken four years ago by Russia during the Biden Administration, was just released from prison, at the request of President Donald J. Trump, made directly to President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation last week.”

“Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family. The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return – an unprecedented situation for Russia.”

“There was no ‘swap’ necessary for this release.”

“This major return should have taken place long ago through the Biden Administration, which got nowhere in its negotiations with the Kremlin. Stephen is on his way back home.”

“Welcome home Stephen, it’s great to have you back,” stated President Trump.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with American Stephen Hubbard following his release.

Watch:

NEW: U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff meets with American Stephen Hubbard following his release from a Russian prison.

Hubbard had been detained since 2022 and was convicted by a Russian court of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine, allegations Hubbard denied through his U.S.-based lawyer.

He was sentenced in 2024 to six years and 10 months in prison, and the U.S. government later designated him as wrongfully detained.

— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 21, 2026

White House Deputy Press Secretary Taylor Rogers noted, ““This is a President who knows how to negotiate peace. He’s been willing to work with both sides here, and, as a result, we are seeing another American come home.”

.@TaylorRogers47 on @POTUS securing the release of Stephen Hubbard from Russian captivity: “This is a President who knows how to negotiate peace. He’s been willing to work with both sides here, and, as a result, we are seeing another American come home.” https://t.co/3DNYIoBrbF

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 21, 2026

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