In a significant gesture, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the Order of Lenin award to Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy, to honor Michael Gloss, the son of a senior CIA officer who died in combat in Ukraine.
Putin Honors Trump Envoy with Award for CIA Official's Son Killed in Ukraine Conflict

Putin Honors Trump Envoy with Award for CIA Official's Son Killed in Ukraine Conflict
A posthumous recognition for Michael Gloss highlights complexities of the Russia-Ukraine war and U.S. intelligence ties.
The incident shines a light on the intricate interplay between diplomacy and personal tragedy amidst ongoing tensions.
President Vladimir Putin, during a recent visit to Moscow, awarded the Order of Lenin to Steve Witkoff, special envoy for President Donald Trump, intended for Juliane Gallina, deputy director for digital innovation at the CIA. This recognition was intended to honor the memory of her son, Michael Gloss, who lost his life fighting in Ukraine last year at just 21 years old.
Sources revealed to CBS that Gloss, who enlisted with Russian forces in the autumn of 2023, had previously posted images on social media expressing support for Russia and critiquing western narratives surrounding the Ukrainian conflict. His involvement has raised questions particularly since he was not affiliated with the CIA, despite being the son of a high-ranking official.
Details about the award, which has not been publicly acknowledged by the Kremlin or the Russian foreign ministry, came to light while preparations were underway for a crucial meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, scheduled for next Friday, focusing on the future of the war in Ukraine.
Gloss's struggle with mental health was highlighted in a CIA statement following his death, which emphasized that this personal tragedy was not a matter of national security. Moreover, Larry Gloss, Michael’s father and an Iraq war veteran, voiced concerns about the implications of their son’s ties to his mother amidst the ongoing conflict, worrying it could be exploited for propaganda purposes.
While further clarifications from the White House, the CIA, and Witkoff remain pending, this situation encapsulates the complex and often personal realms of international diplomacy, as both families and nations grapple with the heavier consequences of warfare.
President Vladimir Putin, during a recent visit to Moscow, awarded the Order of Lenin to Steve Witkoff, special envoy for President Donald Trump, intended for Juliane Gallina, deputy director for digital innovation at the CIA. This recognition was intended to honor the memory of her son, Michael Gloss, who lost his life fighting in Ukraine last year at just 21 years old.
Sources revealed to CBS that Gloss, who enlisted with Russian forces in the autumn of 2023, had previously posted images on social media expressing support for Russia and critiquing western narratives surrounding the Ukrainian conflict. His involvement has raised questions particularly since he was not affiliated with the CIA, despite being the son of a high-ranking official.
Details about the award, which has not been publicly acknowledged by the Kremlin or the Russian foreign ministry, came to light while preparations were underway for a crucial meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, scheduled for next Friday, focusing on the future of the war in Ukraine.
Gloss's struggle with mental health was highlighted in a CIA statement following his death, which emphasized that this personal tragedy was not a matter of national security. Moreover, Larry Gloss, Michael’s father and an Iraq war veteran, voiced concerns about the implications of their son’s ties to his mother amidst the ongoing conflict, worrying it could be exploited for propaganda purposes.
While further clarifications from the White House, the CIA, and Witkoff remain pending, this situation encapsulates the complex and often personal realms of international diplomacy, as both families and nations grapple with the heavier consequences of warfare.