Russian President Vladimir Putin has freed Michigan native Stephen Hubbard, who had been imprisoned since 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, President Donald Trump announced on Monday, Oct. 21.
Hubbard, a Big Rapids native and 73-year-old retired teacher, was living in Ukraine in 2022 when Russia invaded, according to media reports.
He was captured and taken to Moscow, where he was sentenced to seven years after being convicted of fighting as a mercenary.
According to the U.S. State Department, he was wrongfully detained.
"Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family," Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social. "Welcome home Stephen, it’s great to have you back."
Putin announced his release in comments published by
Russian State Media, according to Reuters, ahead of his talk in St. Petersburg with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff on ending the Ukraine war.
In recent days, Trump drew bipartisan criticism for eased sanctions on Moscow and for importing Russian diesel to lower fuel prices. Critics say Trump was favoring Putin over Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
USA Today contributed reporting.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan teacher Stephen Hubbard freed by Russia, reports say
