MOSCOW — Russia has released former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman after more than four years in custody, following discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to U.S. officials and Trump.
Trump said on Tuesday that Gilman, 32, was freed on humanitarian grounds and that his release did not involve a prisoner exchange or concessions by the United States. Gilman was flown out of Russia on a U.S. government aircraft and was returning to the United States, according to officials.
The release followed mounting concern over Gilman’s health. He had been hospitalized in Russia after his condition deteriorated while serving a prison sentence, with U.S. advocates saying he had suffered a severe mental and physical decline. Reuters reported last month that Gilman had been admitted to a hospital in Voronezh, where his lawyer said he was receiving treatment.
Gilman was detained in January 2022 after Russian authorities accused him of assaulting a police officer. He was initially sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison. His sentence was later extended following additional convictions involving alleged assaults on prison officials and a state investigator, ultimately reaching 10 years, according to Russian court proceedings and media reports.
Gilman’s family and U.S. supporters disputed the allegations and said he had been seriously ill when he was first detained. They also alleged that his treatment in custody contributed to his deteriorating condition. Those allegations could not be independently verified.
The U.S. State Department had previously said it was providing consular assistance and monitoring Gilman’s case. In July, a department spokesperson said the administration’s priority was the safety and security of Americans abroad.
Trump said the release followed talks with Putin and credited several U.S. officials involved in securing Gilman’s return. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also welcomed the release while calling for the return of other Americans detained in Russia.
Gilman’s release adds to a series of cases involving Americans held in Russia that have required high-level diplomatic intervention. Former Marines Trevor Reed and Paul Whelan were previously released in separate prisoner exchanges in 2022 and 2024.
Gilman has now returned to U.S. custody and is expected to receive medical and psychological evaluation and treatment following his release.
