Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Trump: Putin Talks Led to US Marine's Release From Russia
A man named Robert Gilman used to be in the US Marines.
He was put in a Russian jail more than four years ago after some people said he hurt a police officer while on a train.
His family said the kick was an accident because he was sick, and they say he was badly mistreated in jail.
Gilman's health got very bad, and his family was very worried about him.
America's president, Donald Trump, said he talked with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, about Gilman.
Trump said Russia let Gilman go as a kind, humanitarian act and did not ask for anything in return.
Now Gilman is flying home on an airplane with an American flag.
He will go to an Air Force base in Maryland and then to a hospital in Texas to get checked and treated.
Trump even promised him a big cheeseburger when he lands.
President Donald Trump said his talks with Vladimir Putin led Russia to release former US Marine Robert Gilman on a humanitarian basis, with no exchange and no one requested in return.
Gilman, a 32-year-old Massachusetts teacher and former Marine, was arrested in Voronezh, Russia, on January 17, 2022, after being accused of assaulting a police officer while intoxicated on a train.
He was sentenced in 2022 for the assault, though sources differ on whether the original term was four and a half years or three and a half years, with his term later extended for violence against prison staff.
Gilman's family said his health deteriorated to a 'dire and life-threatening' state, including a 47-day 'dissociative stupor,' and his sister Lexie Hudson had called for his urgent release.
Gilman will land at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and then go to a military hospital in Texas; Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressed for the return of other detained Americans, including Stephen Hubbard.
Gilman will arrive at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Tuesday evening and will then be taken to a military hospital in Texas for medical evaluation.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, released detainee Robert Gilman, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
- What
- Trump announced that Russia agreed to release Gilman on a humanitarian basis following his discussions with Putin, with no exchange taking place.
- When
- Trump made the announcement on Tuesday; Gilman had been held since his January 2022 arrest and was sentenced in 2022.
- Where
- Gilman was held in Russia, arrested in Voronezh and sentenced by a court in southwestern Russia; he will arrive at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland before being taken to a military hospital in Texas.
- Why
- Trump said the release was humanitarian and that Russia asked for no one in return, after Gilman's sister raised alarm over his serious health deterioration.
Family & US Government's Perspective
Russian Authorities' Perspective
Assault Circumstances
Family & US Government's Perspective
Gilman's family denied the charge, saying the kick was accidental due to his illness, and the US State Department determined he was wrongfully detained.
Russian Authorities' Perspective
Russian authorities accused him of assaulting a police officer while intoxicated, and Russian media reported he pleaded guilty and apologized to guards.
Sentence Details
Family & US Government's Perspective
One account states Gilman was sentenced to four and a half years, later extended to 10 years for violence against prison staff.
Russian Authorities' Perspective
Another account states he was initially sentenced to three and a half years and his term was extended three times, including for attacking a prison inspector and assaulting a guard.
Reason for Release
Family & US Government's Perspective
The US says the release was purely humanitarian, with no exchange taking place and Russia asking for no one in return.
Russian Authorities' Perspective
Hospital reports described his condition as dire and life-threatening, pushing the US government into action and leading to his release, according to Global Reach's Eric Lebson.
- Detainee
- Robert Gilman, 32-year-old former US Marine and Massachusetts teacher
- Arrest Date
- January 17, 2022, in Voronezh, Russia
- Charges
- Assaulting a police officer while intoxicated on a train; term extended for attacking prison staff
- Release Basis
- Humanitarian; no exchange and no one requested in return
- Health Condition
- Dire and life-threatening; 47-day 'dissociative stupor' and tube-feeding before release
- Arrival Details
- Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, Tuesday evening; then military hospital in Texas
- Other Detainee Named
- Stephen Hubbard, sentenced in October 2024 for 'mercenary work' he denies
