# Ex-Marine Robert Gilman is released from Russian prison on humanitarian grounds

https://mins.news/en/item/20487

- Meduza, 2026-08-12 18:01 UTC
- World
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/08/12/ex-marine-robert-gilman-tried-to-get-out-of-a-russian-prison-by-volunteering-for-the-invasion-of-ukraine-he-got-out-on-humanitarian-grounds-instead-so-what-does-putin-want-in-return

> Russia has released Robert Gilman, a 32-year-old American who had been sentenced by a court to 10 years in a penal colony. Russian authorities say he was detained in Voronezh in January 2022 after being removed from a train for causing a drunken disturbance and kicking a police officer in the leg. His original sentence was four and a half years, but it was later increased to 10 years over allegations that he attacked guards and an investigator while behind bars. Gilman had tried to leave prison by volunteering for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but was released on humanitarian grounds instead.

## Related coverage

- [U.S. Marine veteran freed from prison in Russia after more than four years](https://mins.news/en/video/20226) — CBS News, 2026-08-12
- [American released by Russia can barely sit up and needs treatment, lawyer says](https://mins.news/en/item/20100) — TASS, 2026-08-12
- [Russia releases ex-US marine Robert Gilman jailed since 2022](https://mins.news/en/item/19737) — Al Jazeera, 2026-08-12
