Robert Gilman heads to US after Russia release

Former US Marine Robert Gilman was headed back to the United States on Tuesday after Russia released him on humanitarian grounds, US President Donald Trump said.

Gilman, a teacher from Massachusetts, had been serving a 10-year prison sentence in Russia over disputed charges of assaulting a police officer and violence against prison staff. His family and advocates had recently warned about his health, saying he had been hospitalised for more than a month and could die if he could not seek treatment in the United States.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that Russia agreed to release Gilman “very much on a Humanitarian Basis” after his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said Russia asked for no one in return and that no exchange took place.

A photo accompanying Trump's post showed Gilman aboard an airplane holding an American flag. He appeared very gaunt, with his head propped up by a pillow.

Gilman was sentenced in 2022 by a court in southwestern Russia to four and a half years in prison for assaulting a police officer. His sentence was later extended to 10 years for violence against prison staff.

Global Reach, a group that works to free American prisoners abroad, said Gilman had been “subjected to harsh and abusive treatment” in prison. The group said he was moved from a prison hospital to a civilian hospital in Voronezh on June 30 and that reports from hospital officials described his condition as dire and life-threatening.

Global Reach said Gilman was heading to a US military hospital in Texas to be medically and psychologically assessed and treated.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked Russia for working with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to release Gilman and allow him to receive medical treatment in the United States.

Rubio said the Trump administration welcomed the release as a “positive step” but was still seeking the immediate return of other Americans it considers unjustly detained, including Stephen Hubbard.

Hubbard, a retired English teacher, was sentenced in a closed trial in October 2024 to nearly seven years in prison for “mercenary work” on behalf of Ukraine, a charge he denies.