CIA deputy director's son dies fighting for Russia in Ukraine
Michael Gloss, a 21-year-old and the son of the Deputy Director of the CIA, died in April 2024 while fighting for Russia in Ukraine. The young American had signed a contract with the Russian military and joined the landing in Ryazan.
Michael Gloss, the son of the Deputy Director of the CIA, passed away in April 2024 during battles on the side of Russia in Ukraine. After signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense, his involvement was reported by the Russian investigative portal "Important Stories" on April 25.
Tragic loss: A son of the CIA dies at 21 for Russia
Gloss was the son of Juliann Gallina Gloss, the Deputy Director of the CIA for Digital Innovation, and Larry Gloss, a U.S. Navy veteran who took part in Operation "Desert Storm." According to documents analyzed by journalists, Michael signed a contract with the Russian army in September 2023.
"With his noble heart and warrior spirit, Michael chose his own heroic path when he tragically died in Eastern Europe on April 4, 2024," the family wrote in an obituary, without mentioning his service in the Russian army.
Before joining the Russian forces, Gloss traveled around the world after leaving the College of the Atlantic in Maine, where he studied human ecology. Friends described him as an environmental activist and an anti-fascist who openly expressed anger toward the United States.
"He was very angry at America. He started thinking about going to Russia. He wanted to fight against the USA," one friend told journalists.
Gloss arrived in Russia in August 2023, posting a selfie from Vladikavkaz with the caption: "People, I'm in Russia. How did I get here?" He visited several Russian cities before his visa was set to expire on September 5, 2023.
According to the Russian border service, on that day, Gloss appeared at a recruitment point in Moscow that handles foreign volunteers for military service. He was assigned to the 137th Airborne Regiment based in Ryazan.
One of the Russian soldiers who served with Gloss remarked: He was a staunch supporter of Russia and loved it.
An American's journey to fight for Russia in Ukraine ends near Bakhmut
Other acquaintances claimed that Gloss joined the Russian army to obtain citizenship more quickly.
"My goal in life is to build infrastructure for water oxidation in a supercritical state. To end environmental pollution and the diseases and deaths associated with it," one of his friends reportedly said, explaining that Russian citizenship was supposed to help him achieve this goal.
Gloss died on April 4, 2024, most likely during a Russian offensive in the Bakhmut region in eastern Ukraine. His funeral took place in December 2024 in Fairfax County near Washington, eight months after his death.
