Russia isn't the safest place for Americans to travel. Their government and justice systems are frequently not on the up and up, to put it mildly, and Americans have been unjustly detained and even imprisoned there. Now, though, there's one less: On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio took to his official X account to announce that an American and a United States Marine Corps veteran, Robert Gilman, held since 2022 by Russia, was heading home.
Today, after more than four years of detention in Russia, Robert Gilman is on his way home to be reunited with his family. Mr. Gilman joins over 100 Americans whom President Trump has freed during his second term in office.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) August 11, 2026
We thank Russia for working with Special Envoy Steve… pic.twitter.com/tw9zDX6IMu
The X post reads:
Today, after more than four years of detention in Russia, Robert Gilman is on his way home to be reunited with his family. Mr. Gilman joins over 100 Americans whom President Trump has freed during his second term in office.
We thank Russia for working with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to release Mr. Gilman and allowing him to receive the necessary medical treatment here in the United States.
While we appreciate this positive step, we are still seeking the immediate return of all other unjustly detained Americans, including wrongful detainee Stephen Hubbard. The President will not stop until all unjustly detained Americans are home.
President Trump also weighed in on the release on this Truth Social account.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 11, 2026
The president writes (paragraph breaks added for clarity):
I am proud to announce that American Citizen Robert Gilman, a former United States Marine, is coming HOME! In a well known Media story, Robert was imprisoned in Russia in 2022, during the Biden Administration. 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 — No exchange took place. Robert will land at Andrews Air Force Base, in Washington, D.C., tonight, where my Representatives, some of whom are on the plane with him, will welcome Robert back to THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
I just spoke to him, and he had one request — A GREAT cheeseburger when he lands. I will take care of that! During my Administration, we have prioritized bringing home Americans Detained Abroad, and have done so at a level never seen before, returning hundreds of people to their families.
We have also freed many non Americans who were under capture in different countries throughout the World. Robert Gilman has been reunited with his wonderful mother, Nancy, who is also on the plane with him, and will soon get to see all of his loved ones. 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. GOD BLESS AMERICA! President DONALD J. TRUMP
According to Kieran Ramsey, a spokesman for the Gilman family, Mr. Gilman is at present in declining health, after suffering what was described as harsh and abusive treatment. Mr. Gilman was reportedly able to speak with President Trump on his flight home, and he appears to be awake and alert in the image Secretary Rubio shared in his X post. Mr. Gilman is now reported to be in a catatonic state, being fed through a nasogastric tube. Now that he has been returned to the United States, he will be taken to a U.S. military hospital in Texas for treatment. He was initially arrested in Russia after the Russian authorities reportedly mistook his being seriously ill for intoxication.
There was no exchange made for Mr. Gilman; the Russian government released him to the United States without conditions.
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