Trump announces major breakthrough with Putin as imprisoned former Marine finally comes home

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Tuesday, August 11, announced the return of former US Marine and American citizen Robert Gilman from Russian imprisonment.

Robert Gilman, who was arrested in Russia in January 2022, spent 1,666 days in Russian detention before being released on August 11, 2026, following a humanitarian pardon.

Russia frees ex-US Marine four years after arrest

President Trump, sharing a long post on Truth Social, announced and celebrated the release of an ailing ex-US Marine from Russian jail, after Vladimir Putin granted the American a pardon on humanitarian grounds.

The 32-year-old former English teacher briefly served in the US Marine Corps and was arrested in the city of Voronezh, Russia, in January 2022 for allegedly kicking a police officer while drunk, according to Russian state media.

Although his family has consistently denied the allegations against him, Russia later sentenced him to four and a half years in prison.

While serving his sentence, Gilman was accused of attacking a prison inspector during a cell check, beating an investigator, and assaulting a guard. In October 2024, he was again sentenced to eight years and one month.

President Donald Trump, in his post, indirectly blamed Biden for his weak foreign policy and for failing to bring Gilman home.

Trump claimed he had spoken directly to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about the issue, leading to Gilman’s release.

Trump proudly announces release news

“I am proud to announce that American citizen Robert Gilman, a former United States Marine, is coming HOME!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump appreciated Moscow for not demanding any Russian prisoner in exchange.

“After my discussions with President Vladimir Putin, Russia has agreed to release him, very much on a humanitarian basis. We appreciate this decision, and the fact that Russia asked for no one in return,” Trump wrote.

Later in his post, Trump expressed gratitude to those who facilitated Gilman’s release.

“Thank you to my incredible Team, including Special Envoy for Peace Missions, Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy for Hostage Response, Adam Boehler, Senior Director for Counterterrorism, Sebastian Gorka, Jared Kushner, and the many others who made this possible,” Trump added.

Robert Gilman's health deteriorated severely

About 50 days ago, Gilman was diagnosed with a “dissociative stupor — a condition where he is non-responsive and unable to interact or eat,” Sen Ed Markey, D-Mass, said in an earlier statement.

“He was essentially catatonic and also suffered a severe case of pneumonia,” added Markey, who has been campaigning for Gilman’s release. “We don’t yet know the full details of his current condition or the long-term impact on his recovery.”