A former U.S. Marine detained in Russia for over four years has been released following reports that he is critically ill with severe health issues.
On Tuesday, 11 Aug 2026 GMT+7, U.S. President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that Robert Gilman, a former U.S. Marine held in a Russian prison since 2022 and reported to be critically ill, has been released.
"After discussions with President Vladimir Putin, Russia agreed to release him purely for humanitarian reasons," Trump stated, adding that no prisoner exchange occurred.
Back in 2022, Gilman from Massachusetts was arrested for kicking a police officer on a train. He was recently transferred from prison to a civilian hospital in Russia after entering a severe depressive state with a catatonic-like condition.
Trump said the 32-year-old is returning to the U.S. on a special flight, accompanied by his mother, medical team, and government officials.
The family statement indicated that Gilman is scheduled to arrive at a U.S. military hospital in Texas for evaluation and further treatment.
The family added that Gilman’s health is in a "life-threatening" condition after enduring "harsh and cruel treatment."
"The Russians treated my brother terribly, abusing him for no reason other than that he is American and a Marine," said Gilman’s sister, Lexi Hudson, in a statement. "I am deeply grateful to President Trump for saving my brother’s life."
She also noted that Senator Ed Markey from Massachusetts helped negotiate her brother’s release.
Markey said, "About 50 days ago, Robert was diagnosed with Dissociative stupor, a condition where he is unresponsive, unable to interact or eat."
Eric Lebson of Global Reach, an advocate for Gilman’s release, told CBS News that while imprisoned in Russia, Gilman faced repeated abuse, including forced physical training for up to 16 hours daily and compelled use of psychotropic drugs.
Lebson added that the abuse was so severe Gilman had to be fed through a nasogastric tube at times.
Gilman served in the U.S. Marine Corps from August 2019 to August 2020.
He was arrested in January 2022 for kicking a police officer while intoxicated on a train to Moscow and was initially sentenced to 3.5 years. Later, after assaulting a prison officer during a search, his sentence was extended to 10 years.
Lebson revealed that five other Americans remain imprisoned in Russia, all facing health challenges: Alexander Antonov, David Barnes, Olga Jesler, Andrei Kashaturian, and Chuck Zimmerman.
Follow international news:https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:bbc