Updated

Russia released American Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired teacher who had been imprisoned for four years after being captured in eastern Ukraine and convicted of fighting against Russia, with his release reported on October 21, 2026. US special envoy Steve Witkoff greeted Hubbard in St. Petersburg, and officials said the release occurred without a prisoner swap. Witkoff also met separately with Russian President Vladimir Putin, offering unusually glowing praise for him during the visit. The meeting and Hubbard's release come amid ongoing US-Russia diplomatic engagement connected to the broader Ukraine conflict.