Former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman was released from Russian detention Tuesday after being imprisoned for 1,666 days on disputed charges. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Russian President Vladimir Putin had granted the pardon on humanitarian grounds following direct discussions, with no prisoner exchange taking place.
Read more Former NBA Player Sends WNBA Formal Notice of His Decision to Enter 2027 WNBA Draft
“After my discussions with President Vladimir Putin, Russia has agreed to release him, very much on a Humanitarian Basis,” Trump said. We appreciate this decision, and the fact that Russia asked for no one in return — No exchange took place.”
In a statement Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that over 100 Americans have now been freed during President Trump’s second term in office.
The president said he would treat Gilman to a “great cheeseburger” when he arrives in Washington D.C.
“Robert will land at Andrews Air Force Base, in Washington, D.C., tonight, where my Representatives, some of whom are on the plane with him, will welcome Robert back to THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!” Trump said. “I just spoke to him, and he had one request — A GREAT cheeseburger when he lands. I will take care of that!”
Gilman, a 32-year-old Massachusetts native, was arrested in Voronezh in January 2022 for allegedly kicking a police officer while intoxicated, a charge his family denies. Originally sentenced to four and a half years, his term was extended to 10 years following additional convictions for allegedly assaulting prison staff. U.S. officials and American prisoner advocates say Gilman was wrongfully detained.
He is currently en route to a U.S. military hospital in Texas for medical evaluation and treatment.
Gilman’s health had reportedly deteriorated in custody, falling into a “dissociative stupor” or catatonic state in June 2026 that required tube feeding. Advocates and family members alleged he suffered physical and psychological torture, including forced administration of psychotropic drugs and false claims about his family’s safety. While some reports described him as near death prior to release, U.S. officials stated he was walking and talking upon his departure.
The Foley Foundation, which advocates for American hostages and wrongful detainees held abroad, said in a statement it “is relieved to see reports indicating that he is now receiving urgent medical care, including evaluation and treatment from the United States government, as he reunites with his loved ones.”
While celebrating Robert Gilman’s return, the Foley Foundation remains deeply concerned about Americans who continue to be held hostage or wrongfully detained in Russia and around the world. The Foundation urges Russia to release at least six Americans it is wrongfully detaining. Those individuals include Stephen Hubbard, Andre Khachatoorian, David Barnes, Olga Jezler, Chuck Zimmerman, and Aleksandr Antonov. The Foundation calls for the immediate release of all Americans unjustly detained abroad and will continue working with families, advocates, and government partners until every one of these Americans returns home.
“During my Administration, we have prioritized bringing home Americans Detained Abroad, and have done so at a level never seen before, returning hundreds of people to their families,” Trump stated on Truth Social.
We have also freed many non Americans who were under capture in different countries throughout the World. Robert Gilman has been reunited with his wonderful mother, Nancy, who is also on the plane with him, and will soon get to see all of his loved ones.
Thank you to my incredible Team, including Special Envoy for Peace Missions, Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy for Hostage Response, Adam Boehler, Senior Director for Counterterrorism, Sebastian Gorka, Jared Kushner, and the many others who made this possible. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
In a statement posted on social media, Secretary Rubio said: “Today, after more than four years of detention in Russia, Robert Gilman is on his way home to be reunited with his family. Mr. Gilman joins over 100 Americans whom President Trump has freed during his second term in office.”
We thank Russia for working with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to release Mr. Gilman and allowing him to receive the necessary medical treatment here in the United States.
While we appreciate this positive step, we are still seeking the immediate return of all other unjustly detained Americans, including wrongful detainee Stephen Hubbard. The President will not stop until all unjustly detained Americans are home.
Gilman’s sister, Lexie Hudson, thanked Trump and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) for bringing about the former Marine’s release.
“There is no other reason that Robert is alive today other than that President Trump heard about the case and took action,” said Hudson, who thanked Markey “for leading our advocacy efforts in Congress.”
“The Russians treated my brother so badly,” Hudson said. “They hurt him for no reason, other than that he was both an American and a Marine. What did they get out of this? Why did they do this to such a wonderful person?”
Read more The Myth of Black Female Exceptionalism
