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Putin Gives Order of Lenin Medal to US CIA Official Whose Son Died Fighting for Russia
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has sent the Soviet-era Order of Lenin to Juliana Gallina, the CIA’s Deputy Director for Digital Innovation, whose son fought for Russia and was killed in Ukraine in 2024, CBS News reported.
The award was handed over in Moscow via Steve Witkoff, a special envoy of US President Donald Trump. The gesture took place during a period of strained US–Russia relations, as Trump has recently voiced dissatisfaction with the Kremlin and threatened to impose additional tariffs despite ongoing discussions about a possible meeting.
According to CBS News, the move may have been aimed at drawing attention to the fact that Gallina’s son, 21-year-old Michael Gloss, served in the Russian military during the war against Ukraine.
The Order of Lenin, one of the highest civilian honors of the Soviet Union, was historically awarded for significant achievements and was also granted to certain foreign intelligence operatives, such as British double agent Kim Philby.
Michael Gloss, who reportedly had mental health issues, served in the 137th Ryazan Regiment of Russia’s Airborne Forces. He signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and was killed in 2024.
US intelligence sources told CBS News there is no evidence that he was recruited by Russia, and the Kremlin was likely unaware of his family ties when repatriating his body.
Reports from earlier this year indicate that Gloss left the United States in 2023, abandoning his studies and embarking on a world trip. While in Istanbul, he obtained a Russian visa and traveled to Russia, where he became active on local social media, followed pro-Soviet groups, and expressed critical views of US policies.
In the spring of 2024, he participated in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as part of the Russian army. His funeral was held in December 2024, months after his death, with his family reportedly learning of it shortly before the burial.
Earlier, the UK Ministry of Defense reported that Russia recruited over 1,500 foreign nationals between April 2023 and May 2024 to fight against Ukraine, mainly from South and East Asia, former Soviet republics, and African countries, offering financial incentives and potential citizenship to offset battlefield losses without launching a second mobilization.
