Edward Marchesi 74-year-old Stephen Hubbard, a US citizen detained in Russia since 2022, has been released by Vladimir Putin, who called the move a humanitarian gesture . The announcement came as Donald Trump claimed to have personally asked Moscow for the retired teacher's release, insisting that Russia had not asked for anything in return.
Stephen Hubbard Release: Official Statement
During a television interview, the Russian president explained that the decision to end Hubbard's detention was unilateral and not conditioned by any agreement. A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed Washington's position, stating that the release was not part of a deal and that Russia had not made any demands.
The diplomat added that, as far as diplomatic relations are concerned, the decision remains a gesture of goodwill.
Mikhail Zvinchuk's detention and deportation to Montenegro
Meanwhile, Montenegrin authorities briefly detained Mikhail Zvinchuk, a well-known Russian war blogger and editor of the Rybar media organization . The proceedings, initiated on charges of spreading "Russian influence," concluded with the expulsion of Zvinchuk and three other Russian citizens on October 9.
The case has attracted international attention because Rybar has been linked in the past to Yevgeny Prigozhin and disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing Western elections.
American award for the capture of Zvinchuk
In 2019, the State Department's Rewards for Justice program offered $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of Rybar's associates, including Zvinchuk among the targets. The announcement highlights the organization's role in creating anti-immigration content ahead of the 2024 presidential election, as well as its involvement in false narratives about the war in Ukraine.
Diplomatic reactions and Western sanctions
The United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Zvinchuk and other Rybar members in July of that year, accusing them of fueling election influence campaigns in Europe. Moscow, however, regularly rejects accusations of information sabotage, calling them anti-Russian propaganda . Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the claim of an exchange with Hubbard as incorrect, reiterating that there is no connection between the two cases.
Russian and US authorities have presented consistent but distinct versions: Moscow has portrayed Hubbard's release as a gesture of humanity, while Washington has denied any exchange agreement. Meanwhile, Zvinchuk's case continues to be the focus of international investigations, with significant financial rewards offered for his capture and sanctions restricting his media activities.