Ukrainians Describe Hubbard Abuse

Stephen Hubbard lived in Izyum, Ukraine, with his partner when Russian soldiers occupied the city in April 2022. He was captured, accused of serving in the Ukrainian armed forces, and sentenced to six years and ten months in Moscow. He spent four and a half years in Russian detention before his release on October 23, 2026.

Dmytro Khyliuk, a journalist, and Ihor Shyshko, a captured soldier, were imprisoned with Hubbard. They say Russian guards targeted him immediately because of his nationality. Khyliuk recalled that officers would search for his cell during inspections, using obscene language and threats. Shyshko said Hubbard was forced to learn Russian, sing the national anthem, and recite prison rules he could not read. Shyshko witnessed guards beating Hubbard on the legs, back, and arms. He also saw Hubbard shocked with a stun gun and denied food and medical care while kept in the cold.

The men described harsh conditions at the Novozybkov prison in Bryansk. Khyliuk noted broken windows and bitter cold that forced detainees to huddle in bathrooms for warmth. They said Hubbard's health declined while he awaited trial. Shyshko alleged that staff subjected Hubbard to sexual humiliation for their amusement. At the later Pakino facility, Shyshko said Hubbard's condition worsened significantly. He described rotting skin on Hubbard's knees and feet. Shyshko said he had to bandage Hubbard because the prison doctor refused to do so.

The detainees described a daily routine of beatings, forced running, and stress positions. Their diet consisted of porridge, bread, and potatoes. Shyshko recalled a handler setting a dog on prisoners to bite them. Khyliuk claimed Hubbard was hidden from visiting International Red Cross staff to conceal his state. The Red Cross said it asks to see every individual when granted access and continues talks with conflict parties.

Khyliuk returned to Ukraine in August 2025 via a prisoner exchange. He compared Russian captivity to the Stalin era. "Russian captivity is a torture machine," he said. The Kremlin released Hubbard on the same day US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg. Witkoff called the Russian president a humanitarian. President Donald Trump said he asked Putin to free Hubbard in a phone call the week before.

Khyliuk called the release timing shameful PR for a president losing votes in congressional elections. Shyshko hopes the perpetrators will face justice. "Evil must be punished, and so it will be," he said.