Former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman released from Russian prison

On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Russia released 32-year-old former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman following a humanitarian pardon granted by President Vladimir Putin. Gilman, who was being held in a prison in Voronezh, was transported on a U.S. State Department plane to Washington Dulles Airport. U.S. officials reported that Gilman appeared to be in stable condition, walking and talking, and is receiving medical evaluation during the flight.

Gilman had been incarcerated since 2022, initially serving a four-and-a-half-year sentence for assaulting a police officer. His term was later extended to 10 years following a conviction for violence against prison staff. In late June, advocacy groups reported he had been moved to a psychiatric ward in a catatonic-like state, prompting his family and the U.S. government to push for his release. The State Department has designated him as "unjustly detained" and emphasized that his release was not part of a prisoner swap and involved no concessions.

While Gilman returns home, the U.S. administration stated it remains committed to securing the release of other American citizens held in Russia, including retired professor Stephen Hubbard. No further legal proceedings regarding Gilman's specific case have been announced following his release.