Ukraine publishes names of Russian prison staff accused of torturing released US citizen
Russia released 74-year-old US citizen Stephen Hubbard on October 21, 2026, four years after Russian forces captured him in occupied Izium. Following his release, Ukraine’s Book of Executioners of the Ukrainian People project published information identifying prison staff allegedly involved in torturing Hubbard and other detainees at two Russian facilities.
Key points
- Russia released Stephen Hubbard on October 21, 2026.
- Russian forces captured Hubbard in Izium on April 2, 2022; he had lived in Ukraine since 2014 and taught English.
- A Moscow court sentenced Hubbard in October 2024 to six years and 10 months for alleged “mercenaryism.”
- Hubbard was held at SIZO No. 2 in Novozybkov and Penal Colony No. 7 in Pakino.
- Former cellmate Ihor Shyshko said Hubbard was beaten, shocked, attacked by dogs, starved and subjected to other abuse.
- The Book of Executioners of the Ukrainian People published data on staff allegedly involved in abuses at both facilities.
- Russia released Hubbard following a request by Donald Trump during special envoy Steve Witkoff’s visit to Saint Petersburg.
Why it matters
The publication seeks to identify individual Russian prison staff allegedly responsible for systematic abuse and links Hubbard’s high-profile case to the mistreatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war and other detainees in Russian custody.
What happened
Russia released Hubbard on October 21, 2026, after holding him since his capture by Russian forces in Izium in April 2022. The 74-year-old American had lived in Ukraine since 2014 and taught English. Russian authorities said he joined the Izium territorial defense in February 2022, and a Moscow court sentenced him in October 2024 to six years and 10 months for alleged mercenaryism. He was held at SIZO No. 2 in Novozybkov from approximately September 2022 to May 2023 and at Penal Colony No. 7 in Pakino from May 2023 until spring 2024.
After Hubbard’s release, the Book of Executioners of the Ukrainian People project published information about staff allegedly involved in torturing prisoners of war and civilians at the two facilities. Its allegations draw on accounts from Hubbard’s former cellmate, freed Ukrainian prisoner of war Ihor Shyshko, and other released prisoners.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
The Ukrainian-language coverage presents the publication as an effort to document abuse against both Hubbard and Ukrainian detainees in Russian custody. The project is the principal actor in the reported information, while testimony from released Ukrainian prisoners and journalist Dmytro Khyliuk supports allegations of torture, coercive practices and deprivation in the prison system.
Where reporting differs
Ukrainian sources differ in how they transliterate Hubbard’s surname, using Hubbard, Habbard or Habbard. Russian media identify his final prison as VK-12 Colony in Mordovia, but the Book of Executioners project is still verifying that information.
Background
Hubbard’s prosecution followed Russia’s claim that he joined the Izium territorial defense in February 2022. The Book of Executioners of the Ukrainian People is a Ukrainian project that has previously named individuals allegedly involved in abuses against Ukrainians. Shyshko said Hubbard suffered repeated beatings, electric shocks, dog attacks, starvation and forced sexual simulation. Released prisoners also reported beatings and torture at the Novozybkov and Pakino facilities.