In a stunning and deeply personal twist, the son of CIA Deputy Director Julianne Gallina has been revealed to have died fighting for Russia during the conflict in Ukraine, far from the life many believed he was building back home.
Michael Gloss, just 21, was once celebrated as the embodiment of the American dream — a star athlete, a vocal peace advocate, and a familiar face in his community. His death in Ukraine last spring initially seemed like the tragic loss of an idealistic young traveler. However, fresh revelations paint a far more complicated picture.
A CIA spokesperson confirmed Gloss’s death to NBC News but declined to elaborate on which side he fought for, insisting it was “a private family matter” and “not a national security concern.”
Yet, speaking to The Washington Post, Michael’s father, Larry Gloss, pulled no punches. “It came as a complete shock to us that he was involved with the Russian military,” he said. Larry confirmed that his son died on April 4, 2024, on the battlefield in Donetsk — fighting against Ukrainian forces.
Adding to the strange and sorrowful saga, Michael’s remains were only returned to his family months later, with a Russian death certificate in hand, allowing the family to finally lay him to rest in December.
While many who knew Michael remember his calls for peace and justice, the circumstances of his death have left friends, officials, and his family reeling — and asking how a young American could wind up laying down his life under the Russian flag.
