Stephen Hubbard, a 73-year-old from Michigan, was released by Russia after more than four years in custody, the AP reported in November 2024.
Hubbard had been sentenced in 2024 to nearly seven years in a Russian penal colony on charges of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine.
His release was negotiated by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and did not appear to involve a prisoner swap, according to the Associated Press.
An August 2024 multi-country swap freed WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan in exchange for Russian intelligence operatives, including convicted FSB assassin Vadim Krasikov.
The U.S. State Department currently designates Russia a 'Level 4: Do Not Travel' country, warning Americans of the risk of wrongful detention.