Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed on Tuesday that Robert Gilman, a former U.S. Marine who had been held in Russia for over four years, is on his way back to the United States to reunite with his family and receive medical care.
In a statement on his official account, Rubio expressed gratitude towards Russia for cooperating with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in securing Gilman's release and allowing him to receive treatment in the U.S.
Gilman was apprehended in January 2022 in Voronezh, charged with assaulting a Russian police officer while he was ill and en route to the U.S. embassy in Moscow to replace a damaged passport before traveling to Moldova for work.
In October of that year, a Russian court sentenced him to four and a half years in a penal colony. The sentence was later extended to ten years following additional charges of assaulting prison staff, a prison inspector, and other state officials.
In the months leading up to his release, Gilman's health had significantly declined. By June 2026, he was in a dissociative stupor, required tube feeding, and was unable to communicate or attend court hearings.
In July, he was moved from a prison hospital to a civilian psychiatric ward, and by early August, his sister and advocacy groups warned he might be near death. Despite having a court order, Gilman's mother was prevented from visiting him in the hospital.
U.S. officials confirmed that his release was not part of a prisoner exchange: Russia demanded nothing in return, citing humanitarian reasons for his release.
The negotiations were spearheaded by Witkoff, who has become a key diplomatic channel between the Trump administration and Moscow, having previously negotiated the release of Professor Marc Fogel in February 2025.
Rubio highlighted that Gilman "joins more than 100 Americans President Trump has freed during his second term," a figure reported by the White House in March 2026, accounting for cases in Russia, Iran, and other nations.
However, the Secretary of State stressed that the work is not done. "While we welcome this positive step, we continue to seek the immediate return of all other Americans unjustly detained," he stated, specifically mentioning Stephen Hubbard, an English teacher captured by Russian forces in Ukraine in April 2022, sentenced to nearly seven years on charges of being a mercenary, which Washington deems unfounded.
The State Department classifies Hubbard as unjustly detained, with his family and Ukrainian officials asserting he was a civilian, not a combatant.
According to Al Jazeera's report on Gilman's release, Hubbard remains the only American formally classified by Washington as unjustly detained in Russia.
"The president will not rest until all Americans unjustly detained are home," Rubio concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions about Robert Gilman's Release
Who is Robert Gilman?
Robert Gilman is a former U.S. Marine who was detained in Russia for over four years and has recently been released.
What were the charges against Robert Gilman in Russia?
Gilman was charged with assaulting a Russian police officer while ill and later faced additional charges of assaulting prison staff, leading to an extended sentence.
Was Robert Gilman's release part of a prisoner exchange?
No, U.S. officials confirmed that his release was not part of a prisoner exchange. Russia released him on humanitarian grounds without demanding anything in return.
Who is Stephen Hubbard?
Stephen Hubbard is an English teacher captured by Russian forces in Ukraine, accused of being a mercenary, though Washington considers these charges unfounded.