Russia Releases Former US Marine Robert Gilman After More Than Four Years in Prison

A former U.S. Marine held in Russia for more than four years has been released on humanitarian grounds, following diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration amid growing concerns over his deteriorating health.

Russia has released Robert Gilman, a 32-year-old former U.S. Marine and Massachusetts teacher who had been imprisoned in the country since 2022 on charges his family and U.S. officials disputed.

Gilman was detained after Russian authorities accused him of assaulting a police officer while intoxicated. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to prison, with his incarceration later extended following additional allegations involving assaults on prison staff. His family strongly disputed the accusations and maintained that his prosecution was unjust.

The case took a more urgent turn as Gilman’s health deteriorated dramatically while in Russian custody.

U.S. officials and his family said he suffered a severe psychological and physical decline. By June 2026, he had reportedly been transferred to a psychiatric facility in a near-catatonic condition, with reports indicating that his physical condition had become life-threatening.

The worsening situation prompted renewed diplomatic efforts by Washington to secure his release.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he personally appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Gilman on humanitarian grounds.

Russia subsequently pardoned and released him.

Unlike several previous cases involving Americans detained in Russia, Gilman’s release was not part of a prisoner exchange, according to U.S. officials.

The Trump administration said the release followed humanitarian appeals and diplomatic engagement rather than concessions to Moscow. Gilman is being returned to the United States, where he is expected to receive medical and psychological treatment at a U.S. military hospital in Texas.

His release comes after a period of increased diplomatic activity between Washington and Moscow over Americans held in Russian custody.

At least several other U.S. citizens remain imprisoned in Russia under circumstances that Washington has challenged or described as wrongful detention.

Gilman’s family had repeatedly raised concerns about his treatment and declining health during his imprisonment.

His release brings an end to more than four years of detention and allows him to return home for medical care and reunification with his family.

The case is also likely to renew debate over the treatment of Americans detained in Russia and the use of diplomatic negotiations to secure their freedom.

For Gilman, however, the immediate priority is recovery after years in custody.