The short version
- Former Ukrainian prisoners allege that Russian guards subjected Stephen Hubbard to beatings, electrocution, and sexual humiliation during his detention.
- Detainees claim Hubbard was hidden from International Red Cross visitors to conceal his deteriorating physical condition in harsh prison environments.
- Hubbard’s release coincided with diplomatic meetings between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin, following a phone call involving President Donald Trump.
Stephen Hubbard, a seventy-four-year-old American citizen detained in Russia for four years, has returned to the United States after being released by the Kremlin. His release occurred on the same day that US special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. The timing of the freedom has drawn attention to the diplomatic channels involved, with reports indicating that President Donald Trump had requested Hubbard’s release during a telephone conversation with Putin the previous week.
Former Ukrainian prisoners who were held alongside Hubbard have provided detailed accounts of his treatment while in custody. Dmytro Khyliuk and Ihor Shyshko, both detained by Russian forces at different stages of the conflict, say they witnessed or heard about severe abuse inflicted on Hubbard by prison guards. Their testimonies align with statements made by Hubbard’s family regarding the torture he endured. The men describe a pattern of harassment that began immediately upon Hubbard’s arrival at facilities in Bryansk and later in Pakino.
Khyliuk, a journalist captured in the early days of the invasion, first encountered Hubbard at the Novozybkov prison in September 2022. He recalls guards identifying Hubbard by his nationality and subjecting him to mockery and threats from the outset. Shyshko, a former soldier, adds that Hubbard was forced to learn Russian phrases, sing the national anthem, and recite prison rules he could not read. These actions were intended to humiliate him, with guards using obscene language and treating him more harshly than other detainees because of his American identity.
The physical abuse described by former cellmates includes beatings on various parts of the body and the use of stun guns. Shyshko alleges that Hubbard was denied adequate food and medical care while being kept in cold conditions. He also claims that Hubbard suffered sexual humiliation at the hands of prison staff, who used his suffering for their entertainment. The detainees describe a regime characterized by daily routines of physical punishment, including forced running and holding stress positions, as well as attacks by guard dogs that left wounds prone to festering.
Hubbard’s health reportedly declined significantly during his imprisonment. Khyliuk noted hearing Hubbard complain frequently and being called to see the prison doctor often. When the men were transferred to Pakino prison, Shyshko observed severe physical deterioration in Hubbard, describing rot on his knees and feet that required bandaging by fellow detainees because medical staff refused to assist. The conditions in these facilities were described as brutal, with broken windows, biting cold, and a meager diet consisting mainly of porridge, bread, and potatoes.
Concerns have been raised about the oversight of Hubbard’s detention by international organizations. Khyliuk claims that Hubbard was hidden from visitors from the International Committee of the Red Cross to conceal his poor condition. He criticized the organization for seeing only what was presented to them and expressing satisfaction with those limited observations. In response, the ICRC stated that it requests access to every individual in detention when granted entry and continues discussions with conflict parties regarding these issues.
Hubbard was captured in April 2022 when Russian soldiers occupied Izyum, an eastern Ukrainian city where he lived with his partner. He was accused of serving in Ukraine’s armed forces and convicted in a Moscow trial, receiving a sentence of six years and ten months. Shyshko and Khyliuk were held with him while he awaited trial. Khyliuk was returned to Ukraine in August 2025 as part of a prisoner exchange, while Hubbard remained in custody until his recent release.
The accounts from former prisoners paint a picture of a detention system that operated with little regard for international norms or humanitarian standards. Shyshko likened the treatment of detainees to the repressive regime of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, describing Russian captivity as a torture machine from the moment of arrest. These revelations add gravity to Hubbard’s return and underscore the severe risks faced by foreigners detained in Russia during the conflict.
As Hubbard adjusts to life back home, the details of his imprisonment continue to emerge through the testimonies of those who shared his ordeal. The synchronization of his release with high-level diplomatic talks suggests a strategic element to the prisoner exchange. Meanwhile, the allegations of systematic abuse and concealment from international monitors raise questions about accountability and the effectiveness of humanitarian oversight in conflict zones.
The case highlights the intersection of personal tragedy and geopolitical maneuvering. While Hubbard is now free, the experiences he endured reflect broader patterns of mistreatment reported by other detainees. The responses from US officials, including Witkoff’s characterization of Putin as a humanitarian despite ongoing hostilities, have sparked debate about the diplomatic language used in negotiations involving prisoner releases.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Freed US citizen was tortured in Russian jail, former Ukrainian prisoners say
