American Stephen Hubbard receives nearly 7 years in Russian prison
Stephen Hubbard, a U.S. citizen, has been sentenced to almost seven years in prison by a Russian court after being found guilty of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine in a trial that was closed to the public.
The prosecution claimed that the 72-year-old Hubbard was paid $1,000 monthly for his role in a Ukrainian territorial defense unit in the city of Izyum, which he joined following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He was captured by Russian forces less than two months after his enlistment, as reported by the state media outlet RIA Novosti.
During the trial on Monday, Hubbard, who was handcuffed and placed in a glass enclosure, removed his hat as the judge delivered the verdict. Reports from Reuters indicated he showed no visible reaction.
Hubbard admitted to the charges, as noted by Reuters. However, his sister, Patricia Fox, voiced skepticism about the validity of his confession, alongside another family member.
“He has never possessed a weapon, nor participated in any such activities,” Fox stated, adding that her brother is largely a pacifist. Additionally, both relatives mentioned that Hubbard held pro-Russia political opinions.
Hubbard moved to Ukraine in 2014 and lived with a Ukrainian partner, according to Fox. He relied on a pension of about $300 and never learned either Ukrainian or Russian, she shared.
A native of Michigan, Hubbard dedicated many years to teaching English abroad, including stints in Japan and Cyprus, which led to his growing distance from family, according to Fox.
Currently, at least nine other Americans are incarcerated in Russia. On the same day as Hubbard’s trial, former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman was sentenced to over seven years in prison for attacking Russian officials while already imprisoned for other assault offenses. Gilman’s hearing took place in Voronezh, approximately 150 miles from the Russia-Ukraine border.
On August 1, Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, another former U.S. Marine, were released from Russian custody as a part of a prisoner exchange involving 24 individuals.
