Russia frees Robert Gilman
Russia freed former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman after he had been detained since 2022. U.S. President Donald Trump said the release was agreed on humanitarian grounds after discussions with Vladimir Putin, and U.S. officials said Putin approved a pardon.
A State Department plane carrying Gilman landed at Dulles airport near Washington, where U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff greeted him. The White House and State Department had pressed for his release so he could receive medical treatment in the United States.
Officials said the release followed intense negotiations over the weekend and did not involve any exchange of Russian prisoners or other concessions. Gilman had been held in Voronezh, about 550km south of Moscow, and had been sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
Key Events
- Robert Gilman, a former U.S. Marine, was released from Russian detention.
- The release was described by U.S. officials as humanitarian and tied to discussions involving Vladimir Putin.
- A State Department plane carrying Gilman arrived at Dulles airport near Washington.
- U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff greeted Gilman with hamburgers and milkshakes.
- Officials said no Russian prisoners were exchanged and no concessions were made.
- Gilman had been held in a prison in Voronezh and had been sentenced to four and a half years in jail.