Freed American Endured Beatings and Cold in Russian Jails

Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired English teacher, was released from Russian custody on Thursday after four and a half years of detention. Two Ukrainians who shared cells with the American detailed a history of physical abuse, medical neglect, and harsh living conditions during his imprisonment. Their accounts provide specific examples of the treatment Hubbard endured in Novozybkov and Pakino prisons.

Hubbard was captured in April 2022 when Russian forces occupied Izyum, a city in eastern Ukraine where he lived with his partner. Russian authorities accused him of serving in Ukraine's armed forces. A Moscow court convicted him and sentenced him to six years and 10 months in prison. He remained in custody while awaiting trial and beyond.

Dmytro Khyliuk, a journalist, met Hubbard in September 2022 at the Novozybkov prison near the Ukrainian border. Khyliuk stated that guards identified Hubbard immediately and targeted him with insults and threats. He described broken windows and severe cold in the facility. Detainees used bathroom areas to huddle for warmth during their time outside the cells. Khyliuk noted that Hubbard's health declined over the months they occupied neighboring cells. Guards summoned Hubbard to the prison doctor with increasing frequency as his condition worsened.

Ihor Shyshko, a captured Ukrainian soldier, also witnessed Hubbard's arrival. Shyshko said officers forced Hubbard to learn Russian, sing the national anthem, and recite prison rules he could not read. Shyshko observed guards beating Hubbard on the legs, back, and arms. He also reported that officers used a stun gun on Hubbard. Shyshko added that Hubbard was denied food and medical care and subjected to sexual humiliation by prison staff for their amusement.

Hubbard was later transferred to the Pakino prison. Shyshko said Hubbard's condition deteriorated significantly at that location. He described deep sores on Hubbard's knees and feet that required bandaging because the prison doctor refused to treat him. Shyshko recalled Hubbard being so weak he could barely move. The detainees described a daily routine involving beatings, forced running, and stress positions. Their diet consisted of porridge, bread, and potatoes. Shyshko also recounted a handler setting a dog on prisoners to bite them.

Khyliuk alleged that prison officials hid Hubbard soon after his transfer to Pakino. He said they concealed his condition from visiting International Red Cross staff. The ICRC stated that it asks to see every individual when granted access and continues talks with conflict parties on the issue. Khyliuk compared the treatment to the Stalin era and described Russian captivity as a torture machine.

The Kremlin released Hubbard on the same day US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to discuss the war in Ukraine. Witkoff referred to Putin as a humanitarian. US President Donald Trump said he had asked Putin to free Hubbard in a phone call the previous week. Khyliuk returned to Ukraine in August 2025 in a prisoner exchange. He called the timing of Hubbard's release a shameful PR move by the US president. Shyshko said he hopes the perpetrators will face justice.

Khyliuk noted that Hubbard was glad to be freed, stating it was not his war. Shyshko added that evil must be punished. The two men's testimonies support statements made by Hubbard's family regarding the torture he suffered in prison.