Stephen James Hubbard, a 72-year-old American citizen, pleaded guilty in a Moscow court on Monday to charges of mercenary activity, admitting to receiving financial compensation to fight for Ukraine against Russia. The RIA state news agency reported that Hubbard confirmed his agreement with the indictment, which stems from his involvement in the ongoing conflict that has escalated since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Hubbard was placed in pre-trial detention last week for a period of six months, facing a potential prison sentence ranging from seven to 15 years if convicted. The prosecution stated that he had signed a contract with a Ukrainian territorial defense unit in the central city of Izyum shortly after the war commenced. According to the prosecutor, Hubbard was promised a monthly salary of $1,000, along with training, weapons, and ammunition for his involvement in the conflict. He was detained by Russian soldiers on April 2, 2022, shortly after entering the combat zone.
The U.S. embassy in Moscow has acknowledged awareness of Hubbard’s detention but has refrained from commenting further on the matter. His case highlights the complexities of foreign nationals engaging in conflict zones, particularly in a war that has drawn significant international attention and involvement.
Hubbard’s sister, Patricia Fox, spoke out against the mercenary charges, insisting that her brother had no intention of fighting in any war. She described him as “non-military” and emphasized his pacifist tendencies, noting that he had never owned a gun or engaged in combat. Fox revealed that Hubbard had moved to Ukraine in 2014 and had been living off a modest pension, having previously worked as an English teacher in various countries, including Japan and Cyprus. She last communicated with him in September 2021 via Skype, after he had split from his girlfriend and was living alone in Ukraine.
Hubbard is among at least ten Americans currently incarcerated in Russia. His case follows a significant prisoner swap on August 1, which saw three Americans and numerous others released from detention. As the situation unfolds, the implications of Hubbard’s plea and the charges against him are likely to resonate within the broader context of U.S.-Russia relations amid ongoing tensions stemming from the conflict in Ukraine.
