Marine Corps veteran, freed from Russian prison after 4 years, back home in US

Marine Corps veteran Robert Gilman, detained and imprisoned in Russia for more than four years on disputed charges, has arrived back home in the U.S. after President Donald Trump led a high-stakes negotiation for his release, the White House said.

Trump said on social media Tuesday that Gilman, 32, of Massachusetts, was freed for humanitarian reasons, and that there was no prisoner swap as a condition.

“Russia asked for no one in return — No exchange took place,” Trump said on social media.

The Kremlin made no formal public comment on Gilman’s release.

A photo of a gaunt-looking Gilman seated aboard a plane with an American flag draped over him was widely shared by the White House. His mother, Nina Gilman, who traveled to Russia, was standing next to him in the picture.

“I am so grateful to President Trump for saving my 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,” said Lexie Hudson.

“The Russians treated my brother so badly. They hurt him for no reason, other than that he was both an American and a Marine,” she said.

Family members and advocacy groups had been raising alarm about Gilman’s deteriorating health as he served an 11-year prison term in Voronezh, Russia. They described him as gravely ill and in a catatonic state.

Reports received from a prison hospital where Gilman was confined had confirmed that his health status was dire and life-threatening, said Global Reach, a nonprofit organization that advocated for his release.

“This spurred the U.S. government into action that culminated in a unilateral humanitarian release of Robert by the Russian authorities, for which we are grateful,” Global Reach said Wednesday.

Gilman had been working as an English-language teacher in Poland and traveling through Russia in 2022 when he was arrested by Russian police, according to the James Foley Foundation, which advocates for American hostages and wrongful detainees held abroad.

Gilman was charged with assaulting a police officer, an allegation that his family and supporters questioned.

Gilman was sentenced to 4½ years in a Russian prison, a term that was increased to 10 years on a subsequent charge that he assaulted a prison guard, said Vladimir Gilman, his father.

Gilman’s family and advocates credited the president and his administration for negotiating and securing his freedom.

“After my discussions with President Vladimir Putin, Russia has agreed to release him, very much on a Humanitarian Basis,” Trump posted on social media.

Trump said that he spoke on the phone with Gilman, who “had one request — A GREAT cheeseburger when he lands. I will take care of that!”

Gilman is being treated at an undisclosed military hospital after arriving in the U.S. Tuesday night. There was no immediate word on his health.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff posted an update to social media as Gilman returned to the U.S.

“Robert is a patriot — a former United States Marine who served our country with honor. He can now finally return to his family and receive the medical care he needs,” said Witkoff, who has had prior face-to-face meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin while attempting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Russia to release other Americans “unjustly detained,” including Stephen Hubbard, a 72-year-old retired schoolteacher accused by Russia of aiding a Ukrainian defense unit.

“The president will not stop until all unjustly detained Americans are home,” Rubio said in a written statement.

Gilman’s family claimed that he was subjected to psychological torture, deprivation and physical abuse during imprisonment.

Vladimir Gilman, Robert’s father, said that he constantly worried for his son’s welfare and safety. He blamed the Russian government for imprisoning Robert on false charges.

“Robert communicated to us that he is being fed multiple, conflicting drugs meant to limit his ability to control his behavior; has been forced to exercise for 16 hours in a row; suffered deliberate food and sleep deprivation; and spent six months in a punishment cell with no outside contact,” said Vladimir Gilman, a Russian emigre, in an essay published in the Boston Globe in 2024.

“Robert is a good kid. A U.S. citizen, he joined the Marines because he believes in America and service to others, as does the rest of our family. He was born in Poland and grew up in Massachusetts. He is quick to smile and laugh and loves to help others to learn,” Vladimir said.

Global Reach said that several other Americans remain imprisoned in Russia under similar conditions.

The organization also expressed thanks for Gilman’s release.

“We are grateful to the men and women of the National Security Council and State Department for taking decisive action, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and the men and women of the State Department’s office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs,” said Eric Lebson, chief strategy officer at Global Reach.