American, 72, Sentenced to 7 Years in Russian Prison for Fighting as Ukraine Mercenary

Stephen Hubbard, from Michigan, fought with Kyiv’s forces for two months before being captured by Moscow’s troops.

Stephen Hubbard, a U.S. citizen accused of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine against Russia, stands in a glass cage during a court session in the Moscow City court in Moscow on Oct. 7, 2024. Moscow City Court Press Service via AP

A 72-year-old American was sentenced to nearly seven years behind bars by a Russian court on Monday, after being convicted of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.

Prosecutors at Moscow City Court said Stephen Hubbard signed a contract with the Ukrainian army after Russia invaded the country in February 2022.