North Korea publicly acknowledged for the first time that its military personnel are engaged in combat operations in Ukraine, a development that coincided with Russia confirming the death of a CIA official’s son who fought on its behalf.
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised North Korean soldiers who died alongside Russian forces, particularly highlighting their role in efforts to reclaim the Kursk region, which Ukrainian troops captured last year. However, Ukraine’s military leadership dismissed Putin’s statement as propaganda, insisting its forces remain active in that area.
The admissions came hours apart, underscoring Moscow’s reliance on foreign fighters to bolster its depleted ranks, analysts said. The statements followed a report from the investigative outlet IStories revealing that Michael Gloss, 21, the son of CIA Deputy Director for Digital Innovation Juliane Gallina Gloss, died fighting for Russia.
The CIA confirmed his death to U.S. media, stating he perished “while fighting in the conflict in Ukraine.” Leaked government data showed Gloss signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry in September 2023, and his family posted an obituary confirming his death in April 2024.
IStories has identified over 1,500 foreign recruits since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Frank Ledwidge, a former British military intelligence officer, noted that more than 3,300 foreigners have obtained Russian citizenship in exchange for military service.
“Moscow employs various recruitment tactics, including financial incentives and citizenship promises,” Ledwidge said. However, he suggested Gloss’s motivations differed, describing a “bizarre mix of idealism and conspiracy theories.”
Gloss abandoned his human ecology studies in the U.S., traveled through Europe and the Middle East, became disillusioned with American foreign policy, joined the counter-cultural Rainbow Family, and ultimately ended up in Russia’s military. Ledwidge expressed surprise that Gloss was assigned to an assault unit, noting such soldiers face extremely high casualty rates.
His death highlights broader trends in the evolving war, where both sides depend on foreign fighters to supplement their forces. Putin’s tribute to North Korean soldiers underscores this reliance, though Ukraine maintains his claims about retaking Kursk are propaganda.