Russia released a former U.S. Marine on August 11, 2026, and allowed him to return to the United States, according to the Financial Times and NPR. The State Department confirmed the American's freedom, saying no prisoner exchange occurred and Washington made no concessions tied to the release.
U.S. officials characterized the imprisonment as wrongful, NPR reported. The former Marine's family made the same allegation and also claimed he was subjected to abusive treatment while held. The charges brought against him were disputed, and his family had pressed for his release throughout the four years he spent in Russian custody.
The State Department did not give a reason for Russia's decision to free him.