Freed American Describes Beatings and Neglect in Russian Prisons

Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American, spent 54 months in Russian custody before his release this week. His detention involved daily beatings, a stun gun, and a diet limited to porridge, bread, and potatoes.

Dmytro Khyliuk, a journalist, and Ihor Shyshko, a captured soldier, were imprisoned with Hubbard. They say Russian guards singled out Hubbard for his nationality from his arrival at Novozybkov prison in September 2022. Khyliuk recalled guards asking for the American during inspections and using obscene language. Shyshko stated that officers forced Hubbard to learn Russian, sing the national anthem, and recite rules he could not read.

Shyshko described physical abuse including strikes to the legs, back, and arms. He also reported that guards shocked Hubbard with a stun gun. The former cellmate alleged that Hubbard was denied food and medical care while kept in cold cells. Shyshko said staff subjected Hubbard to sexual humiliation for amusement. Khyliuk noted that Hubbard's health declined, leading to frequent visits to the prison doctor. The two men described broken windows and bitter cold, with detainees huddling in bathrooms to stay warm.

Hubbard was transferred to Pakino prison, where Shyshko said his condition worsened. Shyshko described rot on Hubbard's knees and feet and said he bandaged Hubbard because the prison doctor refused. Hubbard was weak and barely able to move. The daily routine included beatings, forced running, and stress positions. Shyshko also recalled a handler setting a dog on prisoners to bite them.

Khyliuk claimed that Hubbard was hidden from International Red Cross staff to conceal his condition. The Red Cross stated it asks to see every individual when granted access and continues talks with conflict parties. Khyliuk said Hubbard vanished from the prison in 2024, leading Khyliuk to assume he had been released. Khyliuk returned to Ukraine in August 2025 and compared the treatment to the Stalin era.

The Kremlin released Hubbard on the same day US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg. Witkoff called Putin a humanitarian. President Donald Trump said he asked Putin to free Hubbard in a phone call the week before. Khyliuk described the timing as shameful PR, while Shyshko stated that the perpetrators must face justice.