Stephen James Hubbard, a native of Big Rapids, Mich., whose family says is an English teacher, was sentenced to six years and 10 months in a penal colony.

Prosecutors said Stephen Hubbard signed a contract with the Ukrainian military after Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022 and he fought alongside them until being captured two months later

Prosecutors said Stephen Hubbard was fighting on the Ukrainian side when he was captured by Russian forces in 2022.

Stephen Hubbard, 72, is the first U.S. citizen known to have been convicted for fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.

A Russian court sentenced 72-year-old US citizen Stephen Hubbard to nearly seven years in prison on charges of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine, following a trial largely held behind closed doors.…

A Russian court has sentenced a 72-year-old American to nearly seven years in prison for allegedly fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.