A Russian court has sentenced a 72-year-old American citizen, Stephen James Hubbard, to nearly seven years in a penal colony for allegedly serving as a mercenary on the side of Ukraine. This case adds another layer of complexity to the already tense relations between Russia and the West, as concerns grow over the treatment of foreign nationals caught up in the conflict.
According to Russian prosecutors, Hubbard, a native of Michigan, was captured by Russian forces in April 2022 near the eastern Ukrainian city of Izyum. At the time, Izyum was under Russian control, following the early phases of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Prosecutors claim that Hubbard was an active participant in the conflict, serving in a defense unit associated with Ukraine’s armed forces. The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office stated that Hubbard “systematically received material compensation” for his participation, implying that he was a paid combatant or mercenary.
Despite his age, Russian authorities have framed Hubbard as a mercenary who took part in military operations, leading to his sentence of 6 years and 10 months in a penal colony. His trial, which only became public when it commenced in September 2023, concluded on Monday, October 2, when the court handed down the sentence.
While Russian authorities have painted Hubbard as a willing participant in the war, his family tells a different story. In interviews with Reuters, Hubbard’s sister, Patricia Fox, expressed deep disbelief at the charges, suggesting that her brother’s alleged involvement in the conflict was highly unlikely.
“He is so non-military,” Ms. Fox told Reuters, explaining that her brother had no history of military service or combat training. “He never had a gun, owned a gun, done any of that… He’s more of a pacifist.”
Ms. Fox further revealed that Hubbard had lived in Ukraine since 2014, following the onset of political instability in the country, which culminated in Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the eruption of conflict in the Donbas region. Hubbard reportedly moved to Ukraine to live with a woman, supported by his small pension. The couple eventually split, but Hubbard continued to reside in Ukraine.
The news of his capture and subsequent trial shocked his family, who had not been aware of his detention until much later. Although Hubbard pleaded guilty to the charges last week, according to Russian state media, his family remains skeptical, casting doubt on the fairness of his trial and the legitimacy of the charges.
Hubbard’s alleged involvement in the war centers around Izyum, a key city in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine. Izyum became a flashpoint in the conflict when Russian forces occupied it early in their invasion in 2022. The city’s strategic location, lying along vital supply routes between the eastern front and Russian-held territory in the south, made it a significant target for both sides.
Following its occupation by Russia in the spring of 2022, Izyum saw some of the fiercest fighting in the war, with Ukrainian forces reclaiming the city in a counteroffensive in September 2022. The Ukrainian military’s recapture of Izyum was hailed as a major victory and highlighted the volatility of the front lines in eastern Ukraine.
The exact circumstances surrounding Hubbard’s capture in Izyum remain unclear. It is not known whether he was directly involved in combat at the time of his detention or whether his presence in the region was coincidental.
Hubbard’s trial took place in Moscow, where the elderly American was brought before a court that deals with cases of foreign combatants. Russian state media aired footage of the frail-looking Hubbard inside a glass defendant’s box, walking with difficulty. His appearance, coupled with his age, further fueled doubts about the plausibility of his role as a mercenary.
The court found Hubbard guilty of acting as a mercenary and sentenced him to 6 years and 10 months in a penal colony, a type of harsh labor camp used to imprison both common criminals and political dissidents in Russia. The sentencing has raised concerns among human rights organizations and Western officials, with critics arguing that foreign nationals captured in conflict zones may be subject to politically motivated trials in Russia.
Hubbard’s case is the latest in a string of incidents involving American citizens being detained or imprisoned in Russia. At least 10 US nationals are currently behind bars in the country, including prominent cases such as that of journalist Evan Gershkovich and basketball star Brittney Griner, who was released in a high-profile prisoner swap in December 2022 after being convicted of drug possession.
The deteriorating relationship between the United States and Russia has made diplomatic resolutions for detained Americans increasingly difficult. While some American citizens have been released through prisoner exchanges, others continue to face long prison sentences in Russia on charges ranging from espionage to assault.
On the same day that Hubbard was sentenced, another American citizen, Robert Gilman, was also handed an additional prison term. Gilman, an ex-US Marine, was already serving a sentence for assault and received an additional seven years and one month in prison for allegedly assaulting a Russian prison officer. This case further complicates the already delicate negotiations between Washington and Moscow over the fate of imprisoned Americans.
Hubbard’s sentencing has sparked reactions from both sides of the geopolitical divide. Russian authorities have framed the conviction as a victory for national security, reinforcing their narrative that foreign mercenaries are playing a significant role in the conflict. The Kremlin has long maintained that Western countries are actively supporting Ukraine by sending arms, supplies, and even personnel to fight against Russian forces.
On the other side, Western officials and human rights groups have expressed concerns about the legitimacy of Hubbard’s trial and the broader issue of detained foreign nationals in Russia. Some experts believe that Hubbard may have been caught in a political crossfire, with his case being used to send a message to the West.
The U.S. State Department has yet to issue an official statement on Hubbard’s conviction, but it is expected that his case will be raised in future diplomatic discussions between Washington and Moscow.
The presence of foreign fighters in the Ukrainian conflict is not a new phenomenon. Since the war began in 2014 between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region, both sides have attracted foreign nationals willing to fight. Some have joined volunteer brigades in support of Ukraine, motivated by a desire to help a country facing Russian aggression, while others have sided with the pro-Russian separatists.
The Ukrainian government has officially welcomed foreign fighters through the creation of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, which allows foreigners to enlist and support the Ukrainian military effort. This has drawn fighters from various countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Poland.
On the Russian side, there have been reports of foreign fighters as well, including individuals from countries with strong pro-Russian sentiments. However, Moscow has also accused the West of sending “mercenaries” to Ukraine, using this claim to bolster its justification for the invasion and subsequent military operations.
Hubbard’s case is unique because of his advanced age and his family’s insistence that he held pro-Russian views, casting doubt on the Russian government’s narrative. It remains unclear how Hubbard became involved in the conflict or why he was in Izyum when he was captured. Nevertheless, his conviction highlights the complex and often opaque nature of the war in Ukraine, where foreign nationals can find themselves entangled in both the fighting and the politics of the conflict.
