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Russia Renames Occupied Donetsk School After CIA Deputy Director’s Son Killed Fighting Against Ukraine
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
A school in occupied Donetsk has been renamed after Michael Gloss, the son of a senior CIA official who joined the Russian army and died during fighting in Ukraine, according to Russian state agencies RIA Novosti on September 9.
Russian authorities in Donetsk announced that School No. 115 will carry the names of Gloss and another Russian serviceman, Ivan Kokovin, both killed in combat against Ukrainian forces.
Commander of Russia’s airborne troops, Mikhail Teplinsky, told TASS that Gloss “was a worthy citizen of Russia and died as a hero,” claiming he fought near Chasiv Yar and took part in assault operations.
In April 2024, Gloss, a US citizen, had signed a contract with the Russian military and was serving in the 137th Ryazan Airborne Regiment.
The publication reported that he was killed on April 4, 2024, although the circumstances of his death remain unclear. He was buried in the United States in December, with his family informed only weeks earlier.
Gloss had told relatives he was in Russia “for work” and raising funds for travel in Africa.
Following Gloss’s death, Russian leader Vladimir Putin awarded him the Order of Courage, which was handed to his mother, CIA Deputy Director Juliann Gallini, by US envoy Steve Witkoff during a visit to Moscow, according to TASS.
In comments to CNN, CIA representatives described the incident as a private family matter, saying the agency considered Gloss’s death “an unimaginable personal tragedy.” The spokesperson added that the family had asked for privacy during “this difficult time” and noted that Gloss had suffered from mental health issues.
Earlier, US citizen Daniel Martindale appeared at a press conference in Moscow, where he expressed a desire for Russian citizenship and claimed he had provided information on Ukrainian military positions to assist Russian forces.
-0158b6b681e3668f470de36aedad9e3c.jpg "Russian Su-24 bomber moments before Ukrainian drone strike, Crimea. (Source: HUR)")
