Russian Court Sentences Americans to Nearly Seven Years for Fighting as Mercenaries in Ukraine
A Russian court has sentenced 72-year-old American Stephen Hubbard to nearly seven years in prison for allegedly fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. The closed-door trial, held on Monday, marks the first known conviction of an American on charges of mercenary activity in the ongoing Ukrainian conflict. This verdict has raised concerns globally, particularly regarding Russia’s treatment of foreign nationals in the conflict.
Prosecutors Claim Hubbard Fought for Ukraine
Russian prosecutors alleged that Hubbard, a Michigan native, signed a contract with the Ukrainian military after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Prosecutors claimed Hubbard fought alongside Ukrainian forces before being captured by Russian troops two months later. He received a sentence of six years and 10 months in a general-security prison, just short of the seven years initially sought by the prosecution.
Charges and Considerations
Hubbard faced charges that carried a potential maximum sentence of 15 years. However, prosecutors reportedly urged the court to consider his age and his admission of guilt when determining his sentence. Hubbard’s case is noteworthy as the first involving an American being convicted for mercenary activity in the Ukrainian conflict. It also reflects the growing number of U.S. citizens arrested in Russia in recent years.
Concerns Over Americans Being Used as Bargaining Chips
There is increasing concern that Russia may be targeting U.S. nationals for arrest, possibly to use them as leverage in future prisoner exchanges. Several high-profile arrests of Americans in Russia have fueled speculation that these individuals could be used in negotiations for the release of Russian nationals detained in the U.S. and Europe.
Additional Sentence for Another American
On the same day, a separate court in Voronezh sentenced another American, Robert Gilman, to seven years and one month in prison for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers. Gilman was originally arrested in 2022 after causing a disturbance while intoxicated on a passenger train, which led to a 3 ½-year sentence. However, Gilman reportedly assaulted a prison inspector during a cell check and later attacked an official from Russia’s Investigative Committee, leading to an additional sentence.
Larger Context of U.S.-Russia Prisoner Swaps
These cases come in the wake of the largest U.S.-Russia prisoner swap in post-Soviet history, which took place last August. The exchange involved 24 individuals and required extensive negotiations, including concessions from European countries that released Russians in their custody. Despite this significant swap, several U.S. citizens remain imprisoned in Russia, and the possibility of future detentions continues to be a major concern.
As tensions between the U.S. and Russia persist, these cases are likely to further highlight the growing trend of politically motivated arrests and the use of foreign nationals as bargaining tools in international diplomacy, underscoring the complexity of U.S.-Russia relations.