The story of Stephen Hubbard reflects that he is a rather unusual fellow of considerable travel. The 74-year-old American was released from Russian prison on humanitarian grounds following requests by the U.S. government, state department and President Trump himself.
Stephen Hubbard was a former schoolteacher who taught English in Japan, retired then went to Cyprus where he met a Ukrainian woman Inna and eventually moved to the eastern Ukraine city of Izyum. After the Russian Federation took control of Izyum, Hubbard was accused of engaging in Mercenary activity saying he manned a Ukraine checkpoint during the conflict. {source}
In April 2022 Hubbard was arrested. He was convicted by a Moscow court in October 2024 and sentenced to six years and 10 months in prison. Yesterday he received a pardon from Russian President Vladimir Putin, and he was released on humanitarian grounds as the Trump administration was negotiating a peace settlement.
STEVE WITKOFF -“Today, Stephen Hubbard is free and headed back home to his family.
Stephen is a proud American citizen, retired teacher, and U.S. Air Force veteran who loves our country.
Now, he is on his way back to a family who loves him, a President who never gave up on him, and a nation that proudly welcomes him home.
It was my honor to be with Stephen in St. Petersburg today before he departed for the United States. President Trump called Stephen to check on him and reaffirm his unwavering commitment to bringing all Americans wrongfully detained home.
Stephen joins more than 110 Americans who [President Trump] has freed since returning to office, including Robert Gilman, Ksenia Karelina, and Marc Fogel.
This release was not part of an exchange – and we extend our thanks to President Putin for releasing him on President Trump’s request.
Thank you to Secretary Rubio, Jared Kushner, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Senior Director for Counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka and the rest of the team for working tirelessly to achieve President Trump’s mission.
President Trump does not leave Americans behind and will continue fighting to bring them all home.” {source}
Will the Trump haters complain that the Trump administration got Stephen Hubbard released?
Will the Trump haters accuse Putin of releasing Mr. Hubbard on the behest of Trump to help Republican’s in the midterms?
You know the left is going to spin this against Trump somehow. They can’t help themselves.
Me? I thank God he was released!
Trump-haters are butt-hurt because Witkoff told President Putin he was a “humanitarian” for releasing Mr Hubbard.
If a little harmless flattery during a diplomatic meeting in Moscow helps get Americans released or even helps end the war in Ukraine, go for it! Diplomacy is all about flattery and nice-talk, especially while the media cameras are rolling.
But the TDS crowd is outraged (outraged I tell you!) that Witkoff didn’t performatively spit in Putin’s face.
If anyone is butt-hurt, they should revisit all the non-harmless flattery and encouragement Obama and Kerry bestowed on the Iranian leadership while giving them pallets of cash and letting them pursue all their terrorism and nuclear weapon ambitions, and at the same time not even trying to get anything at all for America in return. Considerable amount of hypocrisy going on with the TDS crowd.
But that’s (D)ifferent.
Short memories!
With all due respect, I don’t think even the MSM would stupe so low.
JMO
The only question that needs to be answered by those who worship communism and socialism is this: Why has our country been used for decades as the place people who live under tyranny, want to live and/or kill our current government. We have gone so far as stopping public schools from teaching our correct history. My grandson is in 8th grade and has yet to study American History or even know what Civics is about.
It is a simple answer as our country offers freedom.
We have traitors who can’t wait to live under communism and pure socialism! Beware and be fore warned that our quality of life will no longer survive.
Beware traitors to our constitution.
easy: Go find datarepublican for the blockbuster answer ..came out 1-2 days ago.. decades in the making
Massive story. MSM embargo on it. Hope it gets out.
Promethian Action covered it in their live stream today.
https://www.youtube.com/live/25wAOPvKPRg?si=5-95sJ6wafI5Q19a
I checked it out after watching the Wednesday Brief. Then book marked it for further examination.
2 thumbs up.
For the Trump haters, they attack Trump whether he gets the man released or whether he doesn’t. They feed on emotional anger, and the Dem leaders (and their media enablers) know it.
It’s a feature not a flaw of their strategy. So tiresome.
That guy glows so bright
If he isn’t official I hope he gets recruited for other missions
Cyprus Ukrainians is surely a highly interesting choice
British Russian Israel turkey money offshore crazy town
Can’t recall Russia doing anything like this before,, no prisoner exchange required, no concessions of any kind. This speaks well of the relationship that President Trump and President Putin have forged in spite of the obstacles.
Perhaps building up a larger wall against the EU’s violent and greedy ambitions and a larger conflict.
This release was not part of an exchange – and we extend our thanks to President Putin for releasing him on President Trump’s request.
Pretty sure President Putin has released others, one at least, maybe two. Don’t bet the house on this though…
Say it a little louder for the MSM to… oh forget it. They”ll cackle no matter what. 🤡
Hard worker!
Well traveled Hubbard may know some secrets about Zelensky.
Most certainly.
Might inquire of Ksenia Karesina during your inquiry.
Exactly what I was thinking, too.
“The story of Stephen Hubbard reflects that he is a rather unusual fellow of considerable travel.”
Hubbard is being described by the media as a “retired school teacher from Michigan,” but none of his “travel” or “work history” was in Michigan.
After serving in the Air Force Hubbard followed a “travel itinerary” that closely mirrors destinations and timeframes followed by USAID.
His sister says Hubbard was living off a pension of less than $300 a month while he was gallivanting around the globe. Who paid for that travel?
Each and every “news” story about Hubbard was a word for word copy of each other, suggesting that the State Department (USAID?) crafted the story.
I think Suspicious Cat would say that there is way more to this story than is being presented.
A knock?
There are some inconsistencies Retired school teachers from the union systems in michigan got fat pension checks. Perhaps retired means not doing it any more? retired at 30?
Japan I dont beleive was a hot bed of USAID Influence but Abe was not their friend so maybe. Of course there is the possibility he was a giggilo living off his charms and the generosity of his cohorts.
Manning a checkpoint?? would that be the little shed with a red and white bar that comes down. In the movies they are ussually manned by clueless old men so who knows. Glad hes back hopefully whatever mischief he was up to is behind him
BUT what happened to Inna, is she pining for her Stephen, or is she back to her Mati Hari gig in Cyprus.
Will never know for sure, my guess he writes a book.
A: She’s Inna world of
hurtTrump!You beat word man to the punch. Congratulations
As far as the corrupt corporate media stories have said, Mr. Hubbard never taught in Michigan. He did teach English in Japan for 25 years.
As far as USAID activity in Japan, the CIA front organization partnered with the Japan International Cooperation Agency to “contribute to international cooperation and promote the sound development of the Japanese and global economies by supporting the socioeconomic development, recovery, or economic stability of developing regions.”
That string of gobbledygook roughly translates to “deep state crimes.”
Of course USAID was heavily involved in Cyprus and Ukraine in later years. Hubbard went to Ukraine in 2014. That’s significant.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Hubbard worked for/with USAID/CIA for most of his adult life. President Trump and Secretary Rubio are on top of this. Even as we speak, Hubbard is revealing useful information to them.
We are blessed to have a President of intelligence and wisdom to go down this rabbit hole.
“Gobbledygook” is right.
How many Americans did other presidents secure the release of?
We know the answer…
This one and the negotiated release of 109 others will be President Trump’s lasting legacy.
No American left behind.
I don’t think I buy that cover story??
👍
Don’t rock the boat…Not even a smidgeon of suspicion detected in the post.
Pretending not to notice is our strength.
think he might glow in the dark
PDT got the WSJ reporter released, and he was a CIA spy.
Absolutely-just like the Milky Way.
More than 100 percent of New York State’s job growth over the past seven years has been in the home healthcare industry, meaning the state would have lost jobs without more home caregivers.
Advertisement
Almost all of those home “caregivers” are relatives or friends. Healthcare is now the state’s largest single employer. And the jobs are not generally doctors and nurses, but “caregivers.”
That isn’t economic growth. It’s turning an entire state into a long-term care home, one where many of the people being “cared for” don’t exist, or the “caregivers” show up only on paper.
https://hotair.com/david-strom/2026/10/22/close-the-barn-door-the-horse-escaped-n3820195
Excellent article
The GOAT.
Think Obummer or Biden or the rest of the Leftest brigade would have put this man ahead of political manuevering?
Trump Towers so far above those clowns i’m surprised he bothers to look down anymore. Should just keep looking up IMO.
Great job and excited for Stephen Hubbard and his family.
I don’t think a president that will abandon people aboard the Space Station is going to try very hard to see someone released from Russian prison.
Happy for Hubbard & family. Wish them much happiness ahead.
You’ve been suspiciously quiet Sundance. What are you working on? I can’t wait.
Maybe he read Jeff Childers latest “Masterstrokes.” Anyone doubting the existence of the Deep State should read it. I hope SD will comment on these findings. Sure would be interested in his take on all of this.
Tell us more to Sane, don’t keep us in suspenders.
Here, you can read what Sane Membrane read:
https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/masterstrokes-thursday-october-22
Safe travels?
Folks wondering about how a retired teacher does all this and wondering if he has a suspect background.
Obviously, I don’t know the details of his background and would not be surprised if he did have some type of background.
But, there are “regular” priced places everywhere. Everywhere is not 5 star fancy hotel level stuff. How often do you go the Ritz? He isn’t paying exorbitant travel agency prices to see the Louve, he is just living in a place. Living like a regular person probably could be done with relative ease.
Just today:
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/21/stock-market-today-live-updates.html
“Oil prices, meanwhile, jumped after The New York Times reported, citing sources, that the U.S. and Israel have plans for renewed strikes against Iran following next month’s midterm U.S. elections.”
This may help others understand the pricing disconnect between the oil industry and the market platform used.
Yes, there was no exchange of prisoners. However, President Trump just signed an executive order waiving certain Graham Act sanctions, restrictions and duties on Russian energy revenues. No such thing as a “free lunch “.
That’s true in any negotiation. Those have to be delicate and tense discussions in order to win the release of anyone. Probably lengthy too. Putin is no fool. Tough and smart. I don’t envy our team and I think they did an outstanding job.
I guess whether the outcome is worth the cost depends on who you ask. I’m betting Hubbard and his family thinks it was worth it.
He’s lucky the Russians collected him when they did.
After the Ukraine invaded the Kursk Oblast in Russia (2024) not so many mercenaries were afforded the luxury of a capture and conviction.
Certainly, the qualified personnel at the Brooke Army Medical Center will get things sorted out.
0.o
Remembering Tahmouressi, that poor college kid Otto Warmbier, the Korean pastors, and so many others who have been trapped and imprisoned. THANK YOU President Trump.
There ARE people who need to be in protective custody because they will attack and kill other people if they are not closely supervised and free to range. But keeping political prisoners is so backwards… appreciate our President for all he does
Also, men living in Ukraine are not free to refuse military work. They are dragged off regardless of how they feel about the situation
“The Red-Green Alliance is the most dangerous partnership in American politics, and the radical left is proud to be part of it,” Mike Davis, founder of The Article III Project, said in a press release late last week. “Communists want your country. Islamists want your faith. They hate America, and they’ve figured out they’re stronger when they march together.”
https://hotair.com/headlines/2026/10/22/the-unholy-marriage-between-marxists-and-islamists-is-the-most-dangerous-partnership-in-us-politics-n3820157
on what basis was he wrongfully detained?
No other recent President has achieved so much on the geopolitical scene since Reagan.
Will this well traveled individual be a whistle blower?
Mercenary, lol.
So easy even an old school teacher can do it. Maybe he got Thunbergs autograph at the front.
It all sounds too crazy to be true. But the tinfoil crowd appears to be enjoying yet another massive vindication moment. Sunday evening disclosures —once again provided to the public through influencers— produced video evidence of what can be described, fairly and without exaggeration, as a well-funded group of current and former government officials conspiring to overthrow the federal government. Within 36 hours, the Washington Post tried to smother the story by printing a remarkable “this is fine!” story headlined, “U.S. officials privately advise states fearing Trump election meddling.” In conservative media, the story is experiencing a kind of journalistic Big Bang event. Laura Ingraham covered it last night
Laura explained that, in the videos we have seen so far and in what the Washington Post actually admitted, a good-sized group of former Obama and Biden staffers, ex-USAID employees, retired military officers, activists, and ‘community organizers’ are covertly discussing a plan to end the U.S. federal government as we know it. As Laura Ingraham put it, this would work by “flooding the streets nationwide until Trump invokes the Insurrection Act. Claim the military is committing abuses. Get the press to amplify every clip. Then blue state governors unite to override federal authority and rewrite the Constitution.”
These current and former officials —who think they are meticulously standing just inside sedition laws— told the Washington Post they are already ‘working with’ governors, Congressmen, and election officials from at least ten states. This is alarming.
https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/masterstrokes-thursday-october-22?
If true, we have state government officials, in at least 10 states, as high up as governors, actively working to overthrow the United States government. That is treason any way you look at it.
This seems to be totally ignored by the MSM even though it is a GIGANTIC story just waiting to explode.
“Massive Concession”: LA Registrar Admits It Has No Way To Check Citizenship Of 20,000 Flagged Voters
Assistant Registrar Monica Flores stated the office is “not equipped or authorized” to verify citizenship…
Los Angeles County election officials admitted in a federal court filing Tuesday that they have no independent way to verify voter citizenship beyond the voter’s own attestation. The intensifying case, which was initially assigned to a Trump-appointed judge, was transferred to a Clinton-appointed judge on Wednesday.
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/massive-concession-la-registrar-says-it-has-no-way-check-citizenship-20000-flagged-voters
Dude.
This is the 4th off topic post you’ve made here.
This is the topic about the rather unusual fellow of considerable travel.
We have other topics where your posts, as interesting as they are, would be better suited.
FYI:
According to internet sources, the use of Ozempic may cause neurological effects such as brain fog and sluggishness which are biologically plausible and increasingly documented.
0.o
I will never understand why “normal Americans” repeatedly make such stupid decisions when they are in another country and under the authority of another country.
I’m glad he can come home but he was only in that situation to begin with because of his arrogant decision to involve himself in another’s country’s conflicts.
If he was all prepared to pay the price of imprisonment – good for him. He should thank both President Putin and President Trump that he is free. Acknowledge his foolishneess. And then be quiet.
Something stinks here- I don’t think our subject hero is a political vestal virgin.
I doubt much of what we are told can be trusted, be it about Hubbard or anyone else. I’m thinking we have people in Russia they don’t know about and Russia has people in the U.S. we don’t know about. We’d probably freak out if we knew the truth about what our governments are really doing.
The Americans, a six-season series, won 2 Emmys and a Golden Globe Award.
The whole story of The Americans — from the pilot’s shocking garage scene all the way to that heartbreaking Moscow finale.
Philip and Elizabeth Jennings lived across the street from an FBI agent for six years while running one of the most dangerous Soviet spy operations in television history.
This is the complete breakdown of all 6 seasons, packed with details only hardcore fans know — Nina’s execution, Martha’s exile, Paige’s choice on the train, and the behind-the-scenes story of how the two lead actors fell in love for real while playing spies pretending to love each other.
0.o
Here we go again; We don’t know what we don’t know”.
Like a Ryan Routh.
It’s now time to lift all sanctions. They do no harm to Russia.