His father highlighted his son’s anti-establishment views and lifelong struggles with mental health.

Moscow — Michael Gloss, the 21-year-old son of CIA Deputy Director for Digital Innovation Juliane Gallina and Navy veteran Larry Gloss, was killed in April 2024 while fighting for Russia in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. His story, first reported by Russian investigative outlet Important Stories and confirmed by the CIA, has shocked both the intelligence community and the public, raising questions about radicalization, personal conviction, and the unpredictable consequences of global conflict.

A Journey Marked by Activism and Disillusionment

Gloss’s path to the front lines was unconventional. Raised in Virginia, he attended the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, a school known for environmental activism. He became involved in climate protests, including an arrest in Washington, D.C., and was active in the Rainbow Family, a countercultural group rooted in 1970s peace activism. Friends and family described him as passionate about environmental causes and eager to help the disadvantaged.

His father, Larry Gloss, recounted that Michael struggled with mental health issues, including episodes of grandiosity and intense fixation on causes such as water purification. Michael’s dream was to develop a system to provide clean water to those in need, and he believed that Russia offered the best opportunity to realize this ambition.

From Activism to the Battlefield

Michael’s travels took him across Europe, Turkey–where he helped with earthquake recovery–and Georgia, where he mingled with fellow Rainbow Family members. 

By August 2023, he had entered Russia, sharing photos and updates with friends. In September, he was documented at a Moscow recruitment center known for enlisting foreign nationals into the Russian military.

Gloss’s social media presence reflected his growing disillusionment with the United States, particularly its foreign policy and support for Israel, and his increasing sympathy for Russia’s position in the Ukraine conflict. 

He posted images of himself in Moscow’s Red Square, voiced anti-American sentiments, and expressed support for Russia’s war effort.

Enlistment and Death in Ukraine

Gloss joined the 137th Ryazan Airborne Regiment, training alongside a group of Nepalese recruits. He aspired to obtain Russian citizenship, believing military service would expedite the process and allow him to pursue his environmental goals.

In December 2023, Gloss was deployed to the front lines in Ukraine. He was assigned to an assault unit northwest of Soledar, near the embattled city of Bakhmut. 

On April 4, 2024, he died from massive blood loss during an artillery barrage while reportedly attempting to aid a wounded comrade. His death was confirmed to his family by U.S. consular officials in June.

Family and Official Response

The CIA described Michael’s death as a “private family matter,” emphasizing that it posed no national security risk. Both parents expressed profound grief, with Larry Gloss highlighting his son’s anti-establishment views and lifelong struggles with mental health.

Former CIA officials and commentators have called the incident a personal tragedy, noting that while thousands of Americans have traveled to support Ukraine, only a handful have fought for Russia. The case underscores the unpredictable paths of radicalized individuals and the deeply personal dimensions of international conflict.

A Story of Conviction and Loss

Michael Gloss’s journey-from environmental activism in the United States to the battlefields of Ukraine-reflects a complex interplay of personal conviction, mental health struggles, and the global forces shaping young lives today. His death, while not a matter of national security, remains a poignant reminder of the far-reaching consequences of war and ideology.

CIA Leader’s Son Fought and Died for Russia in Ukraine War (April 28, 2025)

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Tags: CIA, Ukraine, Russia, Michael Gloss, Juliane Gallina, Larry Gloss, Russian military, Donetsk, Rainbow Family, mental health, U.S. intelligence, international conflict, foreign fighters, Bakhmut, war casualties, U.S.-Russia relations