American Citizen Stephen Hubbard Sentenced to Nearly Seven Years in Russian Prison for Allegedly Fighting as Mercenary in Ukraine Conflict

Stephen Hubbard Sentenced to Nearly Seven Years in Russian Prison

In a sobering ruling this week, a Russian court has sentenced 72-year-old Stephen Hubbard, an American citizen who was living in Ukraine, to six years and ten months in prison. The court determined that Hubbard had fought as a mercenary for Ukraine and had participated in the conflict that has gripped the region since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. His sentencing was reported by Russian state media.

Background on Hubbard

Originally from Big Rapids, Michigan, Stephen Hubbard moved to Ukraine in 2014 and had been living there until his capture by Russian soldiers in Izyum in April 2022. He was charged with involvement in a territorial defense unit during his time in the eastern Ukrainian city. According to Russian authorities, Hubbard had allegedly received $1,000 for his military engagement, along with training, weapons, and ammunition after signing up for the unit.

His Capture and Court Proceedings

Hubbard’s capture took place just a few weeks after Russia’s invasion began, though details about how he was transferred to Russia remain unclear. His sister, Patricia Fox, who last communicated with him in 2021, expressed skepticism about her brother’s confession in court, noting his peaceful nature and describing him as more of a pacifist than a soldier.

At a hearing prior to the sentencing, Hubbard pleaded guilty, which led the court to hand down its decision. Although it has not been verified, Russian prosecutors claimed that Hubbard engaged in routine acts of combat for financial compensation.

U.S. Government’s Response

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow is in the process of attempting to gain consular access to Hubbard. This case is particularly notable as it follows a similar situation earlier this year, where two Americans were released in a high-profile prisoner exchange. That exchange involved Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal journalist, and Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine. Reports indicate that at least ten Americans remain detained in Russia, highlighting an uptick in the arrest of U.S. citizens since the war began.

Increasing Detentions of U.S. Citizens

The arrest of American citizens in Russia has become more frequent over the past few years. Many experts believe that these arrests are politically motivated—a way for Russian officials to use American detainees as bargaining chips to negotiate the release of their citizens held abroad. In one recent case, the Russian government welcomed back a convicted assassin along with several spies as part of previous deals.

Another U.S. Citizen Sentenced

In a separate court case on the same day as Hubbard’s sentencing, another U.S. citizen, Robert Gilman, was sentenced to seven years and one month in prison for an assault incident involving a prison guard. Gilman was already serving a 3½-year sentence for a previous charge of assaulting a police officer while intoxicated. His attorneys indicated that he had gone to Russia to pursue studies and seek citizenship.

The situation surrounding these two Americans raises significant questions about the treatment of foreign nationals in Russia, particularly those from the United States. As diplomatic tensions continue to escalate, the fate of detained citizens remains a growing concern for their families and for international observers.