Russian Court Sentences 72-Year-Old American Stephen Hubbard to Nearly 7 Years for Mercenary Activities in Ukraine

A Russian court has sentenced a 72-year-old American named Stephen Hubbard to nearly seven years in prison. The closed trial concluded with Hubbard being found guilty of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. Prosecutors claimed he joined the Ukrainian military after Russia's invasion in February 2022 and fought until his capture two months later. He received a sentence of six years and ten months in a general-security prison.

Hubbard, hailing from Michigan, is the first American to be convicted for mercenary activities in the Ukrainian conflict. The charges could have led to a 15-year sentence, but prosecutors considered his age and admission of guilt. They initially sought a seven-year term in a maximum-security facility. The US State Department expressed disappointment over Russia's refusal to provide consular access.

US Concerns Over Arrests

Matthew Miller, a US State Department spokesman, stated that they had limited information due to Russia's denial of consular access. "We're disappointed, as we often are, when they refuse to grant consular access," Miller said. "They have an obligation to provide it and we're going to continue to press for it. We're looking at the case very closely and considering our next steps."

Arrests of Americans in Russia have become more frequent recently. There are concerns that Russia might be targeting US citizens for potential use in negotiations involving Russians imprisoned in the US and Europe. This situation has raised alarms about the safety of US nationals abroad.

Another American Sentenced

On the same day as Hubbard's sentencing, another American, Robert Gilman, was sentenced by a court in Voronezh. Gilman received seven years and one month for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers while serving time for another offense. His initial arrest occurred in 2022 after causing a disturbance on a train while intoxicated.

Gilman was serving a three-and-a-half-year sentence for that incident when he assaulted a police officer in custody. Later, he attacked a prison inspector during a cell check and hit an Investigative Committee official, leading to his new sentence, according to state news agency RIA-Novosti.

Prisoner Swap Context

The US and Russia recently completed their largest prisoner swap since the Soviet era. This exchange involved 24 individuals and required extensive negotiations and concessions from European countries, which released Russians held in their custody as part of the deal. Despite this swap, several US citizens remain imprisoned in Russia.

The ongoing detentions highlight tensions between the two countries and raise questions about future diplomatic relations. The US continues to monitor these cases closely while considering further actions to address the situation.