American Senior Sentenced in Russia for Ukrainian Mercenary Allegations

A Russian court sentenced 72-year-old American, Stephen James Hubbard, to nearly seven years in prison, accusing him of being a mercenary for Ukraine. Hubbard, a Michigan native, had been living in Ukraine since 2014. His family disputes the charge, citing his pro-Russian stance and physical health.

On Monday, a Russian court handed down a sentence of six years and ten months to Stephen James Hubbard, a 72-year-old American citizen, convicting him of acting as a mercenary for Ukraine. The trial was conducted behind closed doors, and the courtroom was occupied by a Reuters reporter.

Hubbard, originally from Michigan, reportedly received payments to join a Ukrainian territorial defense unit in Izyum beginning in February 2022. Although video evidence claims he confessed, his sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, refutes this, saying he held pro-Russian beliefs and questions his involvement due to his age and health conditions.

This case adds to the complexities of Russian-American relations, with Hubbard just one of multiple Americans detained in Russia. The U.S. embassy acknowledged awareness of his detention, declining further comment as diplomatic tensions remain sensitive.