U.S. detainees in Russian custody crisis
The developments in this story so far, most recent first.
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised Gilman's case with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on July 23, 2026.
During a meeting in Manila on July 23, 2026, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised the case of Robert Gilman with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Gilman, a former U.S. Marine who has been detained in Russia since 2022, has been reported to be in serious condition and held in a Russian hospital. Reports indicate he has been in a catatonic-like or dissociative stupor since June and has been fed through a tube for more than six weeks.
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American ex-Marine feared near death after weeks in catatonic state in Russian prison
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Other Americans including Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and Brittney Griner were previously released from Russian custody.
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Robert Gilman was detained in Russia in 2022.
Former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman has been detained in Russia since 2022. After being convicted of assaulting a police officer, he was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison, though a Russian regional court later extended his sentence to a total of 10 years.
The situation has drawn intense scrutiny due to reports of mistreatment. Eric Lebson, chief strategy officer of Global Reach, alleged that Gilman was subjected to harassment, forced exercise sessions lasting up to 16 hours, and the administration of psychotropic drugs, while also being pressured to fight in Ukraine. Advocacy groups and Gilman's family have suggested he may have been tortured before falling into a catatonic-like or dissociative stupor in June, during which he has been fed through a tube for more than six weeks. He is reportedly being held in a Russian hospital in serious condition.