Radicalized Son of CIA Official Reportedly Killed Fighting for Russia in Ukraine
A recent investigation has unveiled a startling story: the son of a CIA director was killed last year while allegedly fighting for Russia in Ukraine. This revelation has sparked significant interest and concern, particularly given the high-profile nature of his family background.
Meet Michael Alexander Gloss, a 21-year-old who was the son of Julianne Gallina Gloss, the CIA’s Deputy Director for Digital Innovation, and a Navy veteran father. According to a detailed report by the independent Russian outlet Important Stories, Michael met his end on the front lines after enlisting in the Russian army.
His obituary poignantly stated that his “fiercely beautiful life … was taken from us during his travels overseas” on April 4, 2024, but it did not specify the circumstances surrounding his death. The obituary further described him as having a “noble heart and warrior spirit,” suggesting that he was on a personal quest for heroism when tragedy struck in Eastern Europe.
Before embarking on his journey, Gloss made headlines for his provocative social media posts, including images of him giving the finger to the White House and videos of a burning American flag. These actions hinted at a growing radicalization that would ultimately lead him to Russia.
Border service data revealed that he crossed into Russia via Georgia in August 2023. During this time, he shared photos of his travels with a group chat of friends from the “Rainbow Family,” a loosely organized counter-culture group often associated with a hippie lifestyle, according to Important Stories.
By September, Gloss was listed in Russia's Unified Medical Information and Analytical System of Moscow, with his address linked to a medical examination room at an Army recruitment point on Yablochkova Street. This location is known for being a hub for foreign mercenaries looking to join Russian forces in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
A selfie taken by a Nepalese volunteer at the Avangard training center in Moscow appears to show Gloss dressed in military fatigues and a red keffiyeh. Another video posted by a different Nepalese individual features Michael, now bald, posing with fellow soldiers at the facility.
Gloss's training group, primarily composed of Nepalese nationals, was eventually transported to their military unit, the 137th Ryazan Airborne Regiment. Footage from the bus ride shows him wearing the same keffiyeh, further confirming his involvement.
Upon arriving at the training unit, Gloss created an account on the Russian social media platform Odnoklassniki. His profile photo depicted him lying in a bunk bed, wearing the red keffiyeh, which resembled those seen in videos shared by his Nepalese comrades, according to the investigation.
A fellow soldier from the 137th Ryazan Airborne Regiment, who went by the name Peter, described Michael as having “his own vision of how he could be useful at the front.” Peter noted that Michael had studied construction and engineering in college, which fueled his thoughts about inventions and innovations that could be applied in a military context.
Gloss confirmed to his Rainbow Family friends that he was in Russia on December 19, but he did not mention any military activities after being silent in the group chat for two months. According to Peter, it was around this time that Gloss was “sent to the assault units.” At that moment, parts of the 137th Regiment were deployed northwest of Soledar in the Donetsk region.
Michael last logged into Telegram on March 14, 2024, just two weeks before the 137th Airborne Regiment initiated an offensive against Ukrainian positions. While the exact details surrounding his death remain unclear, it coincided with a day when the 106th Division, which includes Gloss’s regiment, announced on Telegram that its paratroopers were continuing their offensive push in Donetsk despite facing poor conditions and “unfavorable positions.”
Julianne Gallina Gloss was appointed as the CIA’s deputy director for digital innovation in February 2024, just weeks before her son’s tragic death. As of now, she has not responded to inquiries regarding the situation. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy in 1992, she made history as the first female commander of the academy’s cadet corps and has spent the last three decades working in intelligence and technology, both in military and civil service roles.
Michael’s father, Larry Gloss, served 15 years in the Navy and earned an Air Combat Medal for his actions during Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s. He has since built a career in cybersecurity.
Michael Gloss’s funeral took place on December 21, 2024. A message sent by a member of the Rainbow Family indicated that his family was not informed of his death until two months prior. “They were told that he died in Ukraine. We do not know if he participated in the war. They did not provide details,” the friend relayed.
The CIA has not responded to requests for comments regarding this incident. When contacted by phone, Michael’s father stated that he was not yet ready to discuss the matter.
