The 32-year-old American was released on humanitarian grounds after severe health concerns and more than four years in Russian custody.
WASHINGTON, DC — Russia freed former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman on Tuesday after more than four years in custody, allowing the 32-year-old American to return home following a humanitarian pardon approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin amid growing concern about Gilman’s health.
President Donald Trump said he discussed Gilman’s case with Putin and announced that Russia released him without receiving a Russian prisoner in return. U.S. officials said no prisoner exchange or other concession was made. Gilman was expected to arrive at Joint Base Andrews near Washington before receiving further medical care.
Gilman, a Massachusetts teacher who served in the Marine Corps from August 2019 to August 2020, had been detained in Russia since January 2022. Russian authorities accused him of assaulting a police officer after he was removed from a train in Voronezh, about 340 miles south of Moscow. His family has disputed the circumstances surrounding the case.
Gilman was initially convicted and sentenced to prison over the encounter with the officer. Russian courts later convicted him in separate cases involving alleged assaults on prison and investigative personnel. By late 2024, his combined sentence had been extended to 10 years. Russian media reported that Gilman pleaded guilty to some of the later charges, while his family maintained that the case against him was unjust.
The U.S. State Department determined that Gilman was wrongfully detained. His family and advocates also alleged that he suffered serious mistreatment while incarcerated. Russian officials had not immediately responded Tuesday to those allegations, and Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service did not respond to a request from The Associated Press for comment about the deterioration of his health behind bars.
Concern about Gilman’s condition intensified in recent weeks. His Russian lawyer said he had been transferred to the psychiatric ward of a civilian hospital after his condition worsened. Eric Lebson, chief strategy officer for Global Reach, an organization working with Gilman’s family, said Gilman had spent 47 days in what was described as a dissociative stupor before his release. Advocates said hospital records described his condition as life-threatening.
A U.S. official who spoke with Gilman before his return said he was walking and talking. Officials said four doctors were traveling with him and planned to evaluate him during the flight. He was expected to continue to a rehabilitation facility in San Antonio, Texas, for medical and psychological assessment and treatment.
Gilman’s sister, Lexie Hudson, credited Trump and U.S. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts with helping secure her brother’s release. Markey had publicly pressed U.S. and Russian officials to act as Gilman’s health declined. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the release while saying the United States continued to seek the return of other Americans it considers unjustly detained in Russia.
The circumstances surrounding Gilman’s release differed from several high-profile U.S.-Russia prisoner exchanges in recent years. U.S. officials described Putin’s pardon as a humanitarian decision and said negotiations intensified over the weekend. Trump said Russia asked for no one in return.
Gilman’s immediate focus was expected to be medical evaluation and recovery after his return to the United States. U.S. officials have said they will continue pressing Russia for the release of other detained Americans, including Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher who has denied Russian charges against him.
Author note: Last updated August 11, 2026.