American Robert Gilman, a 32-year-old former Marine who had been held in Russia since January 2022, was released on Tuesday for humanitarian reasons. The release comes amid mounting concerns regarding his health, with advocates and family members previously fearing he was “near death” following allegations of physical and psychological torture while in custody.
US President Donald Trump announced the development on Truth Social, stating that his direct discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin led to the decision. While the exact timing of these presidential talks remains unclear, a US official confirmed that Putin approved a formal pardon for Gilman. Trump emphasized the nature of the release, noting, “After my discussions with President Vladimir Putin, Russia has agreed to release him, very much on a Humanitarian Basis,” and added that no prisoner exchange took place.
Kirill Dmitriev Dmitriev, a Kremlin special envoy and head of the Russian sovereign wealth fund, confirmed the release was granted on humanitarian grounds. Trump shared that during their initial conversation, Gilman had one specific request: “A GREAT cheeseburger when he lands.” The former Marine is currently being transported to the United States on a specialized medical plane, accompanied by his mother, who had traveled to Russia in an attempt to visit him.
Gilman is scheduled to arrive at Joint Base Andrews outside of Washington, DC, on Tuesday. Trump stated, “My Representatives, some of whom are on the plane with him, will welcome Robert back to THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!” A source familiar with the matter described Gilman as being verbal upon his release, though he remains non-ambulatory. He is expected to be transferred to a US military hospital in Texas for comprehensive medical and psychological assessment and treatment.
The circumstances of Gilman’s 2022 arrest remain a point of contention. Russian authorities alleged that he was intoxicated and engaged in an altercation with a police officer, leading to a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence. However, Eric Lebson, chief strategy officer of the advocacy group Global Reach, disputed this account, stating that Gilman was struck by police, became ill, and accidentally kicked the officer. Lebson previously reported that Gilman had fallen into a “dissociative stupor” over six weeks ago, heightening fears for his survival.
Gilman’s sister, Lexie Hudson, expressed profound gratitude to President Trump for his intervention. “There is no other reason that Robert is alive today other than that President Trump heard about the case and took action,” she said in a statement that also thanked Democratic Sen. Ed Markey. Hudson added that she looks forward to reuniting with her brother, noting that she had been unable to speak with him since his initial detention began.
The State Department has officially designated Gilman as a wrongful detainee. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the news but reiterated that the administration continues to seek the immediate return of other Americans unjustly held in Russia, including Stephen Hubbard. Gilman joins a list of former US Marines previously arrested in Russia, such as Trevor Reed and Paul Whelan. Numerous other Americans remain in Russian custody, including Andre Khachatoorian, Olga Jezler, Chuck Zimmerman, David Barnes, and Aleksander Antonov. The report also notes that lebson said Tuesday that “it is too early to know Robert’s long-term medical prognosis.”. The report also notes that “We will make sure that he gets the treatment and support that he needs.”. The report also notes that a State Department spokesperson last week echoed that they were “deeply concerned” about his “health and continued detention in Russia.”. The report also notes that frederik Pleitgen and Aileen Graef contributed to this report.