President Vladimir Putin recently conferred the Soviet-era Order of Lenin to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in recognition of Michael Gloss, the son of Juliane Gallina, a senior CIA official. Gloss, a 21-year-old who died fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine, was honored during Putin's Moscow visit aimed at discussing potential resolutions to the ongoing conflict.
Reports confirm that Gloss's mother, Gallina, is the CIA's deputy director for digital innovation. However, the White House, CIA, and Witkoff's offices have remained silent on the specifics surrounding the award. The Kremlin has not acknowledged the posthumous recognition publicly.
Gloss, who had previously enlisted with Russian fighters, shared his pro-Russian sentiments on social media before his death in April. The CIA confirmed that he was not an agency employee and noted the family’s tragic loss, with sources stating that Gloss faced significant mental health challenges prior to his deployment.
The family, particularly his father, Iraq War veteran Larry Gloss, expressed concern that their son’s identity could be exploited politically due to his mother's high-profile position within the CIA. With Trump and Putin scheduled to meet in Alaska next week, this incident sheds light on the complex narratives surrounding the individuals engaged in the Ukraine conflict.
