The recent sentencing of 72-year-old American Stephen James Hubbard to nearly seven years in a Moscow court has sparked controversy. Hubbard, who had been living in Ukraine since 2014, joined a Ukrainian defense unit after Russia’s invasion in February 2022, leading to his capture by Russian forces. Accused of fighting for Ukraine as a mercenary, he was sentenced to prison and had his earnings confiscated.
Despite Hubbard’s guilty plea, doubts surface over his true intentions, with his family arguing that his pro-Russian views make it unlikely for him to take up arms. The U.S. embassy in Moscow acknowledged Hubbard’s detention, while Kyiv remained silent on the matter.
Hubbard’s case is just one of many involving American citizens imprisoned in Russia. A recent prisoner swap saw the release of several detainees, including journalist Evan Gershkovich. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between Russia and Western countries in the context of the war in Ukraine.
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