Ukrainian soldier Ihor Shyshko and 72-year-old U.S. citizen Stephen Hubbard were held in captivity in Russia together, experiencing torture, humiliation, and hunger. Shyshko was eventually released in an exchange earlier this year but recounted the horrific treatment he and Hubbard endured during their time in Russian detention. The presence of a foreigner among Ukrainian prisoners of war was unusual, and Shyshko witnessed Hubbard being subjected to the same brutal treatment as the Ukrainians, including beatings, starvation, and humiliation. Russian authorities refused to share details about Hubbard’s case with Washington, who had limited information about the situation.
The two men were held in Novozybkov in the Bryansk region and then in the Pakino penal colony no. 7 in the Vladimir region, where they were sometimes cellmates. Shyshko described the routine torture and mistreatment inflicted on prisoners in Russian detention, including Hubbard. He shared that Hubbard was tortured with electric shocks and confided in him about the abuse he suffered. The United Nations accused Russia of widespread and systematic torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war, and Shyshko’s account aligns with the stories told by other former inmates. Hubbard’s treatment in Russian custody, as recounted by Shyshko, paints a grim picture of the conditions prisoners face.
Russian state media reported that Hubbard was accused of joining a Ukrainian territorial defense battalion and being paid to fight against Russia. However, authorities in Kyiv could not find any records of his involvement with Ukrainian military units. Shyshko described Hubbard as a civilian who would have been too weak and ill to partake in any combat activities. Hubbard was stopped by Russian soldiers at a checkpoint in Izium, where he was carrying cash and subsequently detained. Shyshko highlighted the discrepancies in the accusations against Hubbard, emphasizing the dire state of his health and the impossibility of him being a soldier.
Shyshko expressed concerns about Hubbard’s deteriorating physical and mental health, fearing that he may not survive much longer in Russian custody. Describing Hubbard as being “between life and death,” Shyshko highlighted the severe toll that their time in detention has taken on both of them. Despite being reunited with his family, Shyshko continues to struggle with the psychological and physical repercussions of his captivity. He emphasized the importance of Hubbard being able to return home and share his own story, expressing worry about Hubbard’s ability to withstand the harsh conditions in Russian detention. Shyshko called attention to the urgency of Hubbard’s situation and the need for his release.
