Robert Gilman, a Marine veteran in bad health, released from Russian prison after 4 years

A Marine veteran who has been in Russian prison since 2022 has been released and is on his way to the U.S. to remedy his “dire” condition.

Robert Gilman, 32, is on a plane with his mother en route to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to receive medical treatment, President Trump said on Truth Social.

“I just spoke to him, and he had one request — A GREAT cheeseburger when he lands,” he added. “I will take care of that!”

The exact circumstances of his health remain unclear, but a U.S. official told Reuters that Mr. Gilman was walking and talking upon his release.

Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a pardon for Mr. Gilman on humanitarian grounds, Mr. Trump said.

“We appreciate this decision, and the fact that Russia asked for no one in return — No exchange took place,” Mr. Trump said on Truth Social.

Eric Lebson, chief strategy officer for the nonprofit Global Reach, an advocacy group representing Mr. Gilman’s family, said it is “too early to know Robert’s long-term medical prognosis.”

Mr. Gilman had been moved in June from the prison hospital to a psychiatric ward in a “dissociative stupor” due to the abuse he suffered in prison, Mr. Lebson said.

“Reports received from hospital officials conveyed Robert’s status as dire and life-threatening,” the nonprofit said in a Tuesday statement. “This spurred the U.S. government into action that culminated in a unilateral humanitarian release of Robert by the Russian authorities, for which we are grateful.”

Sen. Ed Markey, whose office worked closely with the Gilman family the past two years, said his condition led him to be nonresponsive and unable to interact or eat.

“He was essentially catatonic and also suffered a severe case of pneumonia,” the Massachusetts Democrat said in a statement. “We don’t yet know the full details of his current condition or the long-term impact on his recovery. I’m grateful that Robert is now on his way back to the United States to receive the life-saving care that he desperately needs.”

He added that while this news is “deeply welcomed, it is long overdue.

“It is a tragedy that it took Robert’s near-death condition for his case to receive the attention that it required for his release to be negotiated,” Mr. Markey added. “Throughout his detention, Robert was subjected to physical torture, forced medication, and provocations by Russian authorities. There is no doubt that his treatment by Russian authorities is the reason Robert is in this precarious state today.”

Mr. Gilman was arrested in 2022 for allegedly beating a police officer after being taken off a train for causing a disturbance. He was initially handed a three-year sentence. That ballooned to seven years in 2024 after he was convicted of attacking a prison inspector during a cell check, beating an investigator and assaulting a guard.

His sentence was extended to 10 years after he was found guilty of assaulting prison guards last year.

Mr. Lebson told CBS News last week that Mr. Gilman was subjected to mistreatment by Russian authorities, including harassment, hours-long forced exercise sessions and the administration of psychotropic drugs.

Mr. Lebson also alleged that the veteran was pressured to fight in Ukraine.

Mr. Lebson said Tuesday that the Gilman family “has asked for space while they reunite with Robert and work to support his recovery.”

“I am so grateful to President Trump for saving my brother’s life,” Mr. Gilman’s sister Lexie Hudson said. “There is no other reason that Robert is alive today other than that President Trump heard about the case and took action.”

Mr. Markey highlighted additional cases of Americans in Russia and called for their release.

“We must also never forget that there are still more than five other Americans detained in Russia,” he said. “I urge the Trump administration to use Robert’s case as motivation to continue to advocate for the release of others wrongfully detained in Russia and around the world.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “We are still seeking the immediate return of all other unjustly detained Americans, including wrongful detainee Stephen Hubbard,” a 73-year-old retired American schoolteacher jailed by Russia who was accused of being a mercenary for Ukraine. He was sentenced in 2024 to almost seven years.

“The president will not stop until all unjustly detained Americans are home,” Mr. Rubio said.