Colorado family continues fight to bring Stephen Hubbard home as Russia releases another American

CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- A Colorado family is continuing to fight for the release of Stephen Hubbard after another American detained in Russia was freed Tuesday.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Robert Gilman, who had been detained in Russia for more than four years, was on his way back to the United States. Rubio said the administration is still seeking the release of other Americans, specifically naming Hubbard as a “wrongfully detained” American who remains in Russian custody.

Hubbard, a retired American English teacher with ties to Colorado, was captured by Russian forces after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian authorities accused him of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. Hubbard has maintained that he never served in a military capacity, and the U.S. government has designated him as wrongfully detained.

In October 2024, a Russian court sentenced Hubbard to six years and 10 months in a prison colony after he pleaded guilty to mercenary charges, according to Russian state media. His sister believes he would have been executed had he not agreed to those terms.

Hubbard's sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, has spoken publicly about her brother's detention and his declining health. In an interview with KRDO13, she described seeing video of Hubbard being beaten during his capture and said she fears for his well-being.

“The President will not stop until all unjustly detained Americans are home,” Rubio said.

Back in April, KRDO13 recieved a joint statement from the offices of Colorado senators Michael Bennett and John Hickenlooper, who said both offices have continued to work with the State Department to bring Hubbard home.

Stay up to date with the latest local news, sports, and investigations by downloading the KRDO13 app. Click here to download it from the Apple App Store. Android users can download it from Google Play here.