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CIA Confirms Death of Deputy Director’s Son Reportedly Killed Fighting for Russia
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![Ivan_khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
The Central Intelligence Agency has confirmed the death of 21-year-old Michael Gloss, the son of CIA Deputy Director for Digital Innovation Julianne Gallina Gloss, during the war in Ukraine.
According to NBC News on April 26, a CIA spokesperson stated that Gloss passed away in the spring of 2024 and described the incident as a “profound personal tragedy for the family.” The agency emphasized that the death is considered a private family matter rather than an issue of national security.
While the CIA confirmed the fatality, it did not specify the side on which Gloss was fighting. Reports indicate that he had enlisted in the Russian armed forces and was serving with the 137th Ryazan Regiment of Russia’s Airborne Forces.
His involvement was initially reported by Important Stories, a Russian investigative outlet, citing military sources and social media activity.
Gloss reportedly had a history of mental health challenges. Prior to his death, he had expressed dissatisfaction with US policies and voiced support for Russia on his social media accounts, including photographs taken at Red Square in Moscow. He criticized the Ukrainian military as “corrupt” and characterized Western media coverage as “propaganda.”
According to available reports, Gloss had signed a contract with Russia’s Ministry of Defense through a military recruitment office in Moscow, joining a group of over 1,500 foreign nationals recruited into Russian service.
In communications with his family, he described his stay in Russia as “work,” claiming he was saving money to later travel across Africa.
An obituary published by Gloss’s family noted that he had died “while traveling through Eastern Europe,” without mentioning Russia or the its ongoing aggression against Ukraine.
Michael Gloss was the son of Juliane Gallina, CIA Deputy Director for Digital Innovation, and Larry Gloss, a US Army veteran and defense software developer for NATO and the US military. Prior to joining the Russian military, Michael Gloss had advocated for climate action and protested against abortion bans in the United States.
