CIA Deputy Director Son of Reportedly Killed Fighting for Russia in Ukraine

Report By Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

The son of CIA Deputy Director Julianne Gallina was reportedly killed in combat while fighting for Russian forces in eastern Ukraine last year, according to a report by the Russian investigative outlet IStories, which cited data from a leaked Moscow military recruitment database.

Michael Alexander Gloss, 21, was killed on April 4, 2024, during military operations near Soledar in the Donetsk region, the report said. His death was later confirmed by an obituary published by a funeral home in Fairfax, Virginia, stating only that he was “tragically killed in Eastern Europe” without detailing military involvement.

According to IStories, Russian authorities notified his family in October 2024, and he was quietly buried in December in his hometown.

From Activism to the Frontlines

Gloss, previously known as a climate activist, reportedly left school and joined counter-culture groups, including the Rainbow Family in Turkey and Italy. Friends say he supported pro-Palestinian causes and envisioned launching environmental projects.

He entered Russia in August 2023 after receiving a visa in Turkey and signed a military contract in Moscow by September. He allegedly trained briefly with Nepalese mercenaries before being assigned to a paratrooper assault unit stationed in Ryazan and later deployed to eastern Ukraine in December 2023.

Gloss’s last online activity was recorded in mid-March 2024, just weeks before his death during offensive operations in the war zone.

High-Profile Family

Michael was the son of Julianne Gallina, who became CIA Deputy Director for Digital Innovation in February 2024. His father, Larry Gloss, is a U.S. Navy veteran and currently heads a cybersecurity software company.

The family’s high-profile background has amplified interest in the case, although the obituary made no reference to Gloss’s military role or political affiliations.

A Complex Legacy

Friends described Gloss as idealistic, with aspirations to obtain Russian citizenship and promote sustainability. However, some expressed concern that he may have been influenced by conspiracy theories or misunderstood the risks of engaging with a foreign military during wartime.

Gloss is reportedly one of more than 1,500 foreign nationals from 48 countries who have joined Russia’s military ranks since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to the leaked recruitment data.