Russia releases former US Marine Robert Gilman on humanitarian grounds

Russia has released former US Marine Robert Gilman, who had been jailed since 2022, and he is being flown to Washington, DC, on a US plane. The release was described as being on humanitarian grounds, according to Kirill Dmitriev, the special envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Gilman, who is from Massachusetts, had been reported to be in extremely poor health before the decision.

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Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey said Gilman had been "essentially catatonic" and was battling a severe case of pneumonia before he was freed. Markey also said that about 50 days ago, Gilman was diagnosed with a dissociative stupor, a condition in which a person is non-responsive and unable to interact or eat. The senator said the details of Gilman's current condition were not known, while a US official said he seemed to be in good shape as he returned to the United States.

Gilman was 28 when he was arrested after kicking a police officer while drunk aboard a train to Moscow. His family is awaiting his arrival at a military hospital in Texas, according to reports from the United States. His sister, Lexie Hudson, said in a statement that she was grateful to President Trump for helping secure his release and said there was no other reason he was alive today.

The case is the latest example of a detainee release involving Russia and the United States, and it comes at a time when such cases are closely watched for signs of limited cooperation between the two countries. Humanitarian releases can also draw attention to prison conditions, medical care and the role of political intervention in cases involving foreign nationals. In this instance, the focus has been on Gilman's health, the circumstances of his detention and the diplomatic channel used to bring him home.

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The available details suggest that his condition was serious enough to prompt concern from family members and elected officials, but the full medical picture has not been made public. It is also unclear what discussions, if any, took place behind the scenes before the release was arranged. What happens next will depend on his treatment in the United States and whether either government provides further explanation of the decision.

The case also highlights the role of named intermediaries and officials in such releases, including Dmitriev and US political figures who publicly pressed for action. For now, the main confirmed development is that Gilman has left Russian detention and is on his way to the United States. Further updates are likely to focus on his arrival, his medical care and any official comment from Washington or Moscow.

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