WASHINGTON (Realist English). Russia has released former US Marine Robert Gilman, 32, who had been in custody since 2022. According to Reuters, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the pardon of the ailing American on humanitarian grounds.
Gilman’s release was announced by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account.
According to Trump, he discussed the matter with Putin, after which the Russian side agreed to release Gilman “on a humanitarian basis.” The American leader specifically noted that Moscow “did not ask for anyone in exchange.”
Release details
| Parameter | Details |
| Release date | 11 August 2026 |
| Place of detention | Voronezh colony |
| Current status | On board US State Department aircraft, en route to Washington |
| Escort | Mother Nina, four doctors |
| US reception | Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Deputy National Security Adviser Sebastian Gorka |
| Further treatment | Rehabilitation centre in San Antonio, Texas |
Robert Gilman’s case: chronology
| Date | Event |
| August 2019 – August 2020 | Service in the US Marine Corps |
| January 2022 | Arrest in Voronezh on charges of assaulting a police officer |
| 2023 | Sentenced to 4.5 years in prison |
| October 2024 | Sentence increased by 8 years and 1 month for assaults on prison staff |
| 2025 | Additional sentence – another 10 years |
| Late June 2026 | Transferred to a psychiatric ward of a civilian hospital in a state of “dissociative stupor” |
| 11 August 2026 | Pardoned, released, flying to the US |
Health condition and family reaction
In recent weeks, Gilman’s health had been a serious concern. According to the human rights group Global Reach, which represents his family’s interests, he was transferred from a prison hospital to a civilian psychiatric ward in late June in a condition that doctors assessed as “dissociative stupor.”
He had been in that condition for 47 days, connected to a feeding tube and handcuffed to his bed.
Gilman’s lawyers had claimed that Russian authorities subjected him to mistreatment, including forced physical exertion and administration of psychotropic drugs.
According to Global Reach representative Eric Lebson, after his release, Gilman can move and speak. However, his long-term medical prognosis remains unclear.
Gilman’s sister, Lexi Hudson, thanked Trump for securing her brother’s release: “I am so grateful to President Trump for saving my brother’s life. There is no other reason Robert is alive today except that President Trump learned of this case and took action.” She also thanked Massachusetts Democratic Senator Ed Markey.
Gilman’s release came after senior Russian official Yuri Ushakov informed Trump’s aides last week that Putin had agreed to sign the pardon decree.
The White House and State Department had repeatedly called on Moscow to release Gilman so he could receive medical care in the US.
As US officials noted, Gilman was one of at least ten Americans known to be imprisoned in Russia. His release was not part of a prisoner exchange, and, according to a State Department spokesman, no concessions were made in connection with his release.
Strengths and pressure points
Gilman’s release is a diplomatic success for the Trump administration, achieved through direct high-level talks and without a prisoner exchange. For Gilman’s family, it marks the end of a four-year nightmare and a chance to save his life.
At the same time, the event raises questions about the fate of other American citizens remaining in Russian prisons, as well as the broader context of US-Russia relations, which remain tense.
As analysts note, the humanitarian nature of the release could set a precedent for future agreements, but is unlikely to lead to any substantial softening of Moscow’s position on other bilateral issues.
