Michael Gloss Obituary Removed After He Died Fighting for Russia

Newsweek

28-04-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The obituary for Michael Gloss, the son of a senior CIA official and an Iraq War veteran, has been removed from the Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home website after it became public that he died fighting for Russia against Ukraine.
The original obituary made no mention of the 21-year-old's activities abroad, focusing instead on his interest in nature and devotion to family and friends.
The CIA confirmed his death and told Newsweek, "The CIA considers Michael's passing to be a private matter for the Gloss family—not a national security issue."
Why It Matters
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine that remains ongoing. The U.S. is Ukraine's largest military backer, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. The circumstances of Michael Gloss' death and the removal of his obituary highlight the complicated personal and national implications when Americans participate in conflicts on behalf of U.S. adversaries.
The case is particularly sensitive because of Michael Gloss' background: his mother, Juliane Gallina, is the CIA deputy director for digital innovation, and his father, Larry Gloss, served during the Iraq War.
What To Know
The original obituary for Michael Gloss was published on the Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home website in November, The Washington Post reported.
On April 25, iStories, an independent Russian investigative outlet, published its report on Michael Gloss' time in Russia, and his obituary was taken down.
"With his noble heart and warrior spirit Michael was forging his own hero's journey when he was tragically killed in Eastern Europe on April 4, 2024," the obituary said.
Drawing on Russian government data and social media posts, iStories traced Michael Gloss' journey to enlisting in the Russian army.
He departed his home in Fairfax, Virginia, in January 2023, traveling first to Italy and then to Turkey, where he assisted in restoring buildings damaged by that year's earthquake.
A picture of Michael Gloss taken from social media.
A picture of Michael Gloss taken from social media.
Social media
Larry Gloss told the Post that in June 2023, his son traveled to the former Soviet republic of Georgia, where he attended a "Rainbow Family" counterculture gathering. The following month, Michael Gloss informed his parents that he had crossed into Russia to meet friends from the group.
Although skeptical of the decision, his parents did not suspect he would join the Russian military. On social media, Michael Gloss posted a photo of himself in Moscow's Red Square and expressed support for Russia's war efforts.
According to iStories, Michael Gloss told his parents in September 2023 that he planned to stay in Russia and subsequently enlisted in the Russian military. The outlet found a record of his recruitment in a Russian government database.
Michael Gloss was deployed to the Ukrainian front in December 2023, iStories reported, where he joined an assault unit. A Russian soldier from the 137th Airborne Regiment, who said he knew him, confirmed this.
The regiment was positioned northwest of Soledar in the Donetsk region as Russian forces moved to seize the heavily contested city of Bakhmut.
On the day of Michael Gloss' death, his division announced on Telegram that it had advanced, supported by small assault groups and artillery fire.
According to Larry Gloss, citing the Russian death certificate, his son died on April 4, 2024, from massive blood loss during an artillery barrage while trying to assist a wounded comrade.
Larry Gloss said his son aspired to become a Russian citizen, believing he could fulfill his dream of developing a water purifier to help communities without access to clean water.
"I can only attribute it to his mental illness," Larry Gloss told the Post, describing his son as "the ultimate antiestablishment, anti-authority young man."
Larry Gloss told the newspaper that neither parent knew their son was fighting for Russia when a U.S. State Department consular affairs official informed them in June that he had been killed. Michael Gloss' funeral took place in December.
What People Are Saying
A spokesperson for the CIA told Newsweek: "Juliane Gallina and her family suffered an unimaginable personal tragedy in the spring of 2024 when her son Michael Gloss, who struggled with mental health issues, died while fighting in the conflict in Ukraine. CIA considers Michael's passing to be a private matter for the Gloss family—not a national security issue. The entire CIA family is heartbroken for their loss. Juliane and her husband shared that 'we adored our son and grieve his loss every moment. We appreciate privacy at this difficult time.'"
What Happens Next
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to 11. U.S. President Donald Trump, who is attempting to broker a permanent ceasefire, has expressed frustration over the move.