12.08.2026 00:50
Robert Gilman, a former US Marine who had been detained in Russia for over four years, has been released. US President Donald Trump stated that the release decision was made on humanitarian grounds following his talks with Vladimir Putin and thanked Russia. Trump conveyed the message, 'We thank Russia on this matter,' while also saying that Gilman's first request upon returning to the US was 'to eat a great cheeseburger.'
Robert Gilman, a former US Marine who had been held in a Russian prison for more than four years, has been released. US President Donald Trump stated that Gilman's release took place on humanitarian grounds following his conversations with Vladimir Putin and thanked Russia. Trump also said that Gilman, who is preparing to return to the US, first asked to "eat a great cheeseburger."
SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION
It has been announced that Robert Gilman, a US citizen and former Marine who had been detained in Russia for a long time, has been released.
Eric Lebson, Chief Strategy Officer of the Global Reach group, which works for the release of US citizens detained abroad, announced that 32-year-old Gilman has been released.
Lebson stated that Gilman's health condition is serious and that he will be taken to a hospital in Texas for treatment following his release.
THERE WAS A RISK OF DEATH
A concerning statement had been made in recent days regarding Gilman's health condition.
In a statement on August 7, Eric Lebson said the former soldier was "quite ill" and that his condition carried a "risk of death."
It was reported that after his release, Gilman would return to the US and receive treatment.
THANKS FROM TRUMP TO PUTIN
US President Donald Trump also made a statement on his social media account regarding Gilman's release.
Trump expressed his pleasure that the former US Marine would be returning home and drew attention to his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the release process.
In his statement, Trump said, "Following my conversations with President Vladimir Putin, Russia agreed to release him on purely humanitarian grounds."
The US President also noted that Russia made no demands or expected anything in return for this decision.
"HIS FIRST REQUEST WAS TO EAT A CHEESEBURGER"
Trump also shared Gilman's first request as he prepared to return to the US after his long detention.
According to Trump, the first thing the former soldier wanted to do upon returning home was "eat a great cheeseburger."
It was stated that Gilman was expected to arrive in the US in the late hours of local time.
HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SENTENCED TO 4 YEARS AND 6 MONTHS IN PRISON
Robert Gilman was first sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison in Russia in 2022 for attacking a police officer.
It was stated that Gilman, who faced a new investigation while in prison, was retried for attacking prison staff.
The court in the Russian city of Voronezh sentenced the former US soldier to 7 years and 1 month in prison in this case.
It was reported that after Gilman's health condition worsened, diplomatic efforts for his release came to the fore, and with this latest development, the way for his return to the US was opened.