President Trump Confirms Release Of Former Marine From Russian Prison
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Former Marine Robert Gilman, who has spent the last four years behind bars in Russia, isa returning home to the United States, says President Donald Trump.
President Trump Took To Truth Social To Announce Gilman’s Release
On August 11, 2026, President Trump posted an update on Truth Social that former Marine, Robert Gilman, is on a plane heading back to the United States after he was released from prison in Russia.
According to the post, Gilman was taken into Russian custody in 2022. Recently, Trump began having conversations with Russian President Vladamir Putin to discuss his release, as Trump had learned he was incredibly ill.
“After my discussions with President Vladimir Putin, Russia has agreed to release him, very much on a Humanitarian Basis,” the president wrote. “We appreciate this decision, and the fact that Russia asked for no one in return — No exchange took place.”
Gilman will touch down in Washington DC in the evening of August 11th. Some of Trump’s representatives are on the flight with him and more will welcome him back to the United States after landing. Additionally, Gilman’s mother, Nancy, is on the plane with him.
“I just spoke to him, and he had one request — A GREAT cheeseburger when he lands. I will take care of that!” he said.
Trump’s post continued:
“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. We have also freed many non Americans who were under capture in different countries throughout the World.”
President Trump ended the post by thanking all the people it took to make Gilman’s release possible: 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.
See his full post below.
Why Is Gilman’s Release Considered A “Humanitarian” Release?
According to NBC News, Gilman was diagnosed with “dissociative stupor” nearly two months ago, meaning he is “non-responsive and unable to interact or eat.”
Massachusetts Senator Edward J. Markey released a statement about Gilman’s release, and he revealed that Gilman “was essentially catatonic and also suffered a severe case of pneumonia.“
He continued, “We don’t yet know the full details of his current condition or the long-term impact on his recovery. I’m grateful that Robert is now on his way back to the United States to receive the life-saving care that he desperately needs.
Markey says that it is “tragic” that it took Gilman’s “near-death condition” for his case to reach the powers that be needed for him to get the care that he needs.
“Throughout his detention, Robert was subjected to physical torture, forced medication, and provocations by Russian authorities. There is no doubt that his treatment by Russian authorities is the reason Robert is in this precarious state today,” Markey said.
The Senator celebrated Gilman’s release, while also reminding the public that five more Americans remain imprisoned in Russia.
Who Is Robert Gilman?
Robert Gilman, who is from Massachusetts, served in the Marines for one year from 2019-2020. In 2022, he was taken off a train in Russia for causing a disturbance. Once he got off the train, he beat a police officer and was handed a 3 1/2 year prison sentence.
While in prison, he was accused of attacking a prison inspector in October 2024, adding eight years and one month to his sentence. In 2025, his sentence was extended to 10 years when he was “found guilty of assaulting prison guards.”
Gilman’s supporters claim he was not well when he was first detained in 2022 and was provoked in prison, which led to his additional charges.
