Former US Marine Robert Gilman released from Russian prison after 1,666 days

Aug 11, 2026

Former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman has been released from Russian custody on humanitarian grounds after 1,666 days of imprisonment. President Donald Trump announced the release following direct discussions with Vladimir Putin, confirming that no prisoner exchange occurred. Gilman, who was arrested in 2022 on disputed assault charges, is returning to the U.S. in a life-threatening, catatonic-like state of dissociative stupor caused by alleged torture and abuse. He will undergo medical evaluation at a military hospital in Texas, while U.S. officials continue to advocate for other Americans remaining in Russian prisons.

Gilman release from prison

▪Robert Gilman was released on humanitarian grounds without a prisoner exchange or any concessions from the United States.
▪Former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman was released from Russian custody on August 11, 2026, after being imprisoned for 1,666 days.
▪Robert Gilman was scheduled to land at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on August 11, 2026, before traveling to a military hospital in Texas for medical and psychological treatment.

Assault charges in Voronezh

▪Robert Gilman's family and advocates disputed the assault charges, stating he had fallen violently ill during travel and accidentally kicked the officer.
▪Robert Gilman's sentence was extended multiple times to 10 years after subsequent convictions for assaulting prison guards and investigators.
▪Robert Gilman was arrested on January 17, 2022, in Voronezh, Russia, for allegedly assaulting a police officer while drunk on a train.

Health deterioration in custody

▪Robert Gilman was diagnosed with a dissociative stupor and was hospitalized in a catatonic-like state in Voronezh starting in late June 2026.
▪While hospitalized in Russia, Robert Gilman was fed through a nasal tube and handcuffed to a bed, with his condition described as dire and life-threatening.

Torture allegations by family

▪Senator Ed Markey stated that Robert Gilman was subjected to physical torture, forced medication, and provocations by Russian authorities during his detention.
▪Advocate Eric Lebson stated that Robert Gilman was subjected to forced exercise sessions lasting up to 16 hours and administered psychotropic drugs.

Trump-Putin diplomatic engagement

▪U.S. officials credited Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Senator Ed Markey for their roles in negotiating and securing Robert Gilman's release.
▪President Donald Trump announced that Russia agreed to release Robert Gilman following direct discussions between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

American detentions in Russia

▪The U.S. State Department and Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for the immediate release of other unjustly detained Americans, specifically naming Stephen Hubbard.
▪At least five other Americans with deteriorating medical issues remain imprisoned in Russia, including Aleksandr Antonov, David Barnes, Olga Jezler, Andre Khachatoorian, and Chuck Zimmerman.