Russian prosecutors have requested a seven-year prison sentence for an American citizen accused of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine against Russia, according to Russian news agencies. The prosecutors have taken into account the defendant’s age of 72 and his admission of guilt. They are asking that he serve his sentence in a maximum-security penal colony.
Participating in mercenary activities is considered a criminal offense in Russia, punishable by imprisonment for 7-15 years. The prosecutors allege that the defendant, Stephen Hubbard, signed a contract with the Ukrainian military after Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. It is claimed that he was promised at least $1,000 for his involvement.
Hubbard reportedly underwent training and received a personal firearm before fighting as a mercenary in the Ukrainian military until April 2022 when he was apprehended by Russian forces. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has acknowledged awareness of the arrest but declined to comment further due to privacy restrictions.
It is worth noting that Russian courts convict over 99 percent of defendants, and prosecutors have the ability to appeal sentences they deem too lenient. In recent years, there has been an increase in arrests of Americans within Russia. Concerns have been raised about whether these arrests are part of an effort by Russia to use U.S. nationals as bargaining chips for negotiations involving Russians convicted of crimes abroad.
In August, the United States and Russia completed their largest prisoner swap since the Soviet era, which involved 24 individuals and required extensive negotiations and concessions from European countries holding Russians in custody. Despite this exchange, several American citizens remain imprisoned in Russia.
The trial outcome remains pending as proceedings continue.