Freed from Russian detention on Tuesday, former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman is returning home on a medical flight to Joint Base Andrews. President Donald Trump announced the release, stating it occurred on humanitarian grounds without any prisoner exchange, following severe concerns over Gilman’s deteriorating health.
Russian authorities released 32-year-old Robert Gilman from detention on Tuesday, ending an imprisonment since 2022 marked by disputed charges, escalating legal penalties, and severe medical decline. President Donald Trump announced the release in a social media post, confirming that the former Marine was airborne and heading toward Joint Base Andrews near Washington, D.C.
The sudden diplomatic breakthrough comes after months of mounting alarm from family members and advocates who warned that Gilman was near death behind bars. According to officials who spoke with CNN, the freedom was granted on a humanitarian basis after discussions between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who approved a formal pardon.
Humanitarian Release Without a Prisoner Exchange
Unlike several high-profile releases involving Russian nationals held in Western prisons, the Trump administration emphasized that Washington gave up nothing to secure Gilman’s freedom. We appreciate this decision, and the fact that Russia asked for no one in return — No exchange took place,
Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that the move was handled very much on a Humanitarian Basis.
The rapid diplomatic push involved an inner circle of advisers, including special envoy Steve Witkoff, senior director for counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka, presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner, and U.S. special envoy for hostage response Adam Boehler.
Severe Health Crisis and Hospitalization in Russia
Gilman’s release followed a harrowing final weeks in custody that advocacy groups described as life-threatening. Arrested in January 2022 while traveling by train in Voronezh, Gilman was initially convicted of assaulting a police officer—allegations his family and legal representatives consistently disputed as fabricated after he fell ill during transit.
Eric Lebson, the chief strategy officer for the advocacy group Global Reach, reported that Gilman was subjected to severe abuse.
“It is a tragedy that it took Robert’s near-death condition for his case to receive the attention that it required for his release to be negotiated.”
Sen. Edward Markey, via ABC7 Los Angeles
In early July, Gilman was transferred from prison to the psychiatric ward of a civilian hospital in Voronezh. Legal representatives and family members stated he fell into a dissociative stupor—an unresponsive state brought on by intense stress—and was kept hooked up to a feeding tube while handcuffed to a bed.
Family Advocacy and the Journey Back to Texas
Throughout the ordeal, Gilman’s family maintained relentless public pressure, aided by Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, who worked directly with congressional leaders to keep the case visible. Gilman’s sister, Lexie Hudson, credited presidential intervention with saving her brother’s life.
There is no other reason that Robert is alive today other than that President Trump heard about the case and took action,
Hudson said in a statement. Her mother, Nina Gilman, had traveled to Russia in a desperate bid to visit her son and boarded the State Department medical flight alongside him.
A U.S. official who spoke directly with Gilman on the aircraft reported that he was walking, talking, and appeared to be in good shape considering the circumstances. During his conversation with the president, Gilman’s request was A GREAT cheeseburger when he lands.
Following his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Gilman is scheduled to be transferred to a U.S. military hospital in Texas for extensive medical and psychological rehabilitation. While officials celebrated his return, Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that Gilman’s freedom leaves numerous other Americans still imprisoned in Russia, urging the immediate return of wrongful detainees like retired schoolteacher Stephen Hubbard.
