Retired American teacher Stephen James Hubbard, seized from his home in Izyum, Ukraine, in April 2022, remains the only American held in Russian captivity, sentenced in October 2024 on fabricated mercenary charges. Fellow Ukrainian prisoners of war detail repeated torture inflicted upon Hubbard due to his nationality, including beatings, starvation, and denial of medical care. The U.S. State Department considers Hubbard wrongfully detained, and he is a likely candidate for a prisoner exchange with Russia.
Read More
Seventy-three-year-old American Stephen James Hubbard, captured in Izium, Ukraine, in April 2022, was subjected to brutal torture in Russian prisons after being falsely accused of being a mercenary. Despite claims of his involvement in Ukraine’s territorial defense, these allegations are refuted by locals and fellow prisoners, who attest to his inhumane treatment, including beatings, electric shocks, and forced exposure to the cold. The US State Department now considers Hubbard wrongfully detained, but despite this designation, Russian authorities have hindered his family’s attempts to contact him and refused access to US officials. Hubbard, who maintains his innocence, has endured severe health problems due to the abuse while exhibiting unwavering resilience.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker