An American prisoner was returned from Russia this week.
Posted by The Fox News Rundown, Checked
- Sources
- 5 support
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 90%
The Fox News RundownOct 23, 2026
Multiple tier1 sources (Reuters, AP) report that Russia freed American Stephen Hubbard on Wednesday October 21, 2026, a few days before the October 23 post, which matches the claim that an American prisoner was returned from Russia 'this week.' The claim's core assertion is supported; the post's 'this week' is consistent with the October 21 release and the October 22.
What was said
… Let's go back to diesel for a second and talk about Russia before I let you go. We know a lot of lawmakers, including Republicans, were pretty upset that the president announced the waiving of sanctions against Russia, even if temporarily. But now we have this American prisoner back this week from Russia, and these new reports of Vladimir Putin saying he agrees in principle to talk next month about ending the war. All of this after U.S. Envoy Steve Whitkoff praised Putin as a humanitarian. …
The Fox News Rundown · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. Reuters reports Trump said Russia released US citizen Stephen Hubbard, held since 2022, on Wednesday October 21, 2026.[1]
Supports. AP reports Russia freed an American jailed for over four years on mercenary charges during a visit by a top U.S. envoy, and Hubbard arrived at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.[2][3]
Supports. CNN and WSVN confirm Hubbard returned to U.S. soil days after his release, consistent with a return within the same week.[4][5]
Sources
5 sources: 2 fact-checkers, 3 not rated
- 1Trump says Russia has released US citizen Hubbard from prisonreuters.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 2Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after over 4 years behind barsapnews.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 3American freed from Russian prison after four years arrives in San Antoniofoxsanantonio.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 4Freed Russian prisoner Stephen Hubbard has returned to American soilkesq.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 5American recently released from Russian prison meets ...wsvn.com · not rated · cited for: supports
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
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