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An American man, reportedly the son of a high-ranking CIA official, was killed in eastern Ukraine while contracted to the Russian military, according to an investigation conducted by independent Russian media outlets.
The deceased, identified as Michael Alexander Gloss, 21, lost his life on April 4, 2024, in “Eastern Europe,” as detailed in his family’s obituary. He was the offspring of Juliane Gallina, who became the deputy director for digital innovation at the CIA as of February 2024.
The circumstances surrounding Gloss’s shift from a middle-class upbringing in Virginia to the battlegrounds of Ukraine reflect a complex interplay of personal disillusionment and radicalization. His journey epitomizes how internal tensions and ideological conflicts can lead individuals to extreme decisions.
Investigative reports, including findings from iStories, indicate that Gloss was among over 1,500 foreign nationals who contracted with the Russian military since February 2022. Leaked enrollment records revealed he had signed his contract in September 2023. Sources mentioned that by December 2023, he was assigned to “assault units” engaged in intense combat near the front lines, specifically near the city of Soledar.
His family described him in the obituary as having “a noble heart and warrior spirit,” though they did not address the specific details of his military involvement or the geopolitical context of his death.
During his time at university, Gloss was active in movements focusing on gender equality and environmental issues. He was a member of Rainbow Family, a leftist environmental organization, and traveled to Turkey in 2023 to assist humanitarian efforts following a devastating earthquake. Over time, he became increasingly frustrated with U.S. foreign policy, particularly in relation to Israel and the Gaza conflict.
While in Turkey, Gloss’s frustrations reportedly grew and led him to contemplate traveling to Russia. A friend recounted that he frequently watched videos about Palestine and expressed a desire to confront the U.S. directly, noting that conspiracy theories seemed to have a pronounced influence on his mindset.
Upon obtaining a visa to Russia, he traversed the country before settling in Moscow, where he enlisted in the military just as his visa was about to expire. Documentation gathered by iStories indicated that he underwent training in Russia, primarily with Nepali contract soldiers, before being deployed to combat zones in Ukraine three months post-enlistment.
Several acquaintances shared that Gloss had not initially sought to engage in fighting; rather, he hoped that military service would provide a pathway to securing a Russian passport and a more permanent life in the country.
The details surrounding his death are unclear. A friend disclosed that the Russian government had notified Gloss’s family but provided scant information regarding the circumstances of his demise. “It was communicated that he died within the borders of Ukraine,” the friend recounted. “We do not know whether he participated in the war. There were no further detailed explanations.”
It remains uncertain if Russian authorities conducted a thorough background check on Gloss or if his familial connections were acknowledged prior to his recruitment. The Guardian has reached out to the CIA for clarification regarding these developments.
Source
www.theguardian.com