Ukrainian soldier Ihor Shyshko described his harrowing two-year detention in Russia alongside 72-year-old U.S. citizen Stephen Hubbard as a time of torture, humiliation, and hunger. Hubbard, who mysteriously appeared in a Moscow court last month after being held incommunicado for two and a half years, was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison for allegedly fighting for Ukraine.
Shyshko, released earlier this year after being taken prisoner in 2022, recounted the brutal treatment he and Hubbard endured in two Russian prisons. The guards subjected them to beatings, hunger, and humiliation, with Hubbard reportedly tortured with electric shocks.
Despite claims by Russian authorities that Hubbard fought for Ukraine, Kyiv could not find any records of his military involvement. Shyshko expressed concern for Hubbard’s deteriorating health and hoped for his safe return home to share his story.
The shocking treatment of Hubbard highlights the widespread torture and mistreatment of Ukrainian prisoners in Russian custody, as reported by the United Nations. Shyshko’s firsthand experiences shed light on the dire conditions faced by detainees.
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