American retired teacher released from Russian detention after four years

Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher from Michigan, has been released from Russian detention after more than four years, CNN reported.

His release followed a visit by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to St. Petersburg, where Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the decision during a meeting with Witkoff, according to The Times of Israel.

Hubbard had lived in Ukraine since 2014 and was accused by Russia of fighting alongside Ukrainians, a claim his family denies. The U.S. State Department had designated him as wrongfully detained.

President Donald Trump stated he discussed Hubbard's case extensively with Putin and urged for his release, as reported by ABC News.

The negotiations for Hubbard's release were part of broader talks led by Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner to free multiple Americans detained in Russia. These discussions are reportedly in the final stages, though details remain unclear.

Despite Hubbard's release, several other U.S. citizens remain imprisoned in Russia, with their families calling on the State Department for further action.