U.S. citizen Stephen Hubbard released by Russia after years in jail, Witkoff confirms in meeting with Putin

Updated on: October 21, 2026 / 5:58 AM EDT / CBS News

Stephen Hubbard, a U.S. citizen who was jailed in Russia for more than four years after being accused of fighting for Ukraine, has been released from custody, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed Wednesday during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.

Trump administration officials, including Witkoff, were in St. Petersburg Wednesday for talks with Putin and other senior Russian officials that focused on the Ukraine war, but included other matters. Russian state news agencies, citing Putin, said Hubbard was at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport.

Video from the meeting showed Witkoff thanking Putin for freeing the American.

"I wanted to thank you very much. The president sends his thanks. Our whole nation sends it's thanks," Witkoff said. "Because of you, he's going home to his family."

Hubbard, a 74-year-old Michigan native, was the last American in Russia whom the State Department had formally declared wrongfully detained. As many as 10 other Americans, including dual nationals, remain in Russian custody.

Hubbard, who is in poor health, was expected to be flown to Texas for treatment at a military hospital.

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Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/