**Russia Accused of Torturing American Teacher**
In a shocking revelation, former Ukrainian prisoners of war have come forward with disturbing allegations against Russia’s prison system. A 73-year-old American English teacher, Stephen Hubbard, was subjected to brutal treatment and torture while in detention for nearly three years.
Hubbard, from Michigan, was captured by Russian forces in April 2022 while living in the eastern Ukrainian city of Izium. He had been teaching English online to Japanese students and had retired to Cyprus before moving to Ukraine in 2012 to be with a Ukrainian woman. The relationship ended, but Hubbard continued living in Ukraine.
**Fabricated Charges and Abuse**
Russian authorities accused Hubbard of joining Ukraine’s territorial defense forces after Russia’s full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022. However, text messages between Hubbard and his son contradict this narrative, showing no evidence of military involvement. Instead, Hubbard sent daily updates describing civilian life during the invasion.
Former Ukrainian prisoners of war who were held with Hubbard told The New York Times that he was repeatedly tortured because of his American citizenship. They reported that he was beaten, forced to stand all day, given inadequate food, and denied proper medical care.
**US Accuses Russia of Wrongful Detention**
The United States has repeatedly accused Russia of inflating or fabricating criminal charges against American citizens, using them as leverage for prisoner exchanges or broader diplomatic negotiations. Hubbard is the only American remaining in Russia who has been designated by the US State Department as “wrongfully detained,” indicating that the United States considers the charges against him to be fabricated.
Hubbard’s family lost contact with him after his conviction until recent weeks, when he was able to call one of his sons. His lawyer, Martin De Luca, said his team has spoken with Hubbard three times since April.
**Russia’s Pattern of Abuse**
This case is not an isolated incident. Americans have been detained in Russia under questionable or harsh charges, such as espionage or treason, often with little publicly available evidence. Notable examples include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, and former Marine Paul Whelan, all of whom received lengthy prison sentences and later became central figures in major prisoner swaps.
Russian authorities convicted Hubbard of being a mercenary in October and sentenced him to nearly seven years in prison. Following his conviction, his case file was removed from public view in an unusual move by the Russian judge.
As the world watches this unfolding drama, one thing is clear: Russia’s treatment of foreign nationals is a serious concern that needs immediate attention.
