State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the United States is working hard to secure the release of 72-year-old American Steven Hubbard, who was convicted in Russia on mercenary charges after fighting on Ukraine side, the BBC reported, reports News.bg.
During a briefing the next day, Bruce mentioned Hubbard twice, commenting on the release of Ksenia Karelina (Havana) during the prisoner exchange in Abu Dhabi. She stressed that the United States has not forgotten all those whom Russia continues to unjustly hold in prison, including Hubbard. "President Trump and Secretary Rubio will continue to work to secure the release of all unjustly detained Americans," she added.
Steven Hubbard, a native of Michigan, was sentenced in Russia in the fall of 2024 to six years and 10 months in prison for mercenary service. According to investigators, in February 2022, Hubbard, who had lived in Ukraine since 2014, joined the territorial defense of the city of Izyum in the Kharkiv region. In April of that year, he was captured by Russian forces.