Robert Gilman, a U.S. Marine veteran detained in Russia since 2022, was released and flown back to the United States this week, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald J. Trump both announcing the development and crediting diplomatic efforts for his return.

Trump Team Delivers: Marine Held Since 2022 Now Released

Russia has a long record of detaining Americans under questionable circumstances, and the case of Robert Gilman added to that troubling history when he was held beginning in 2022. Officials now say Gilman has been returned to U.S. hands and will receive medical care after suffering severe mistreatment abroad. The release was announced publicly by Secretary Rubio and by President Trump, each framing the return as the result of determined American diplomacy.

https://x.com/SecRubio/status/2087211155123065117

Secretary Rubio used his official X account to share the news and to highlight that this is one of many Americans brought home during the current administration. His post notes coordination with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and thanks Russia for agreeing to allow medical care in the United States. Rubio also insisted on pressing for the return of other Americans believed to be unjustly detained.

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 commented directly about Gilman’s return and framed it as a priority of his administration to bring Americans home. He described personal involvement and conversations with Russian leadership that led to Gilman’s release on humanitarian grounds. The president emphasized there was no prisoner exchange and highlighted the team members who helped secure the return.

President Trump published his message in a multi-paragraph post, stressing both the humanitarian aspect of the release and the administration’s broader record on freeing detained Americans and other captives. He even relayed a small human detail about Gilman’s first request after speaking with him, a moment meant to underscore the personal nature of the rescue. The president listed key aides and envoys who assisted, giving credit where he said it was due.

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

Family spokespeople say Gilman is in fragile health after what they describe as harsh and abusive treatment while detained. Reports indicate he is awake and alert in photos shared by officials but also that he requires specialized medical attention, including feeding via a nasogastric tube. The immediate plan is to move Gilman to a U.S. military hospital in Texas for further evaluation and care from military medical specialists.

Officials emphasized there was no exchange or bargaining involved and that Russia released Gilman without conditions, characterizing the move as humanitarian. The circumstances that led to his detention reportedly involved Russian authorities misreading acute illness for intoxication, a scenario that underscores how vulnerable Americans can be to foreign legal systems. His return will allow proper medical treatment and a chance to be reunited with family under U.S. supervision.

The administration framed this outcome as evidence of focused diplomacy and operational coordination, naming envoys and officials who worked on the case. The official messages have a clear political edge, presenting the release as validation of the current approach to securing the freedom of Americans abroad. At the same time, leaders cautioned that other citizens remain detained and said efforts to bring them home will continue without pause.

This development joins a broader push to reduce the number of Americans wrongfully held overseas and to increase accountability for nations that detain U.S. citizens under dubious pretenses. By returning Gilman to U.S. care, authorities hope to stabilize his condition and provide family access after years of uncertainty. The story will likely remain in the spotlight as his recovery progresses and as the government pursues other cases of detained Americans.