Son of former CIA official enlisted in Russian army – his end was fatal

The Russian army, suffering heavy losses estimated at one and a half million casualties, operates a global recruitment network on social media. Ukrainian intelligence has identified nearly 29,000 foreign fighters from 135 countries, including 18 American citizens. Among the recruits: a former Marine who was killed, a fugitive criminal, and the son of a former senior CIA official. The recruits are thrown to the front as cannon fodder, suffering violence and extortion from their commanders.

The Russian army, suffering heavy losses estimated at one and a half million casualties since February 2022, operates a well-oiled global recruitment network on social media. According to Ukrainian intelligence data, nearly 29,000 foreign fighters from 135 countries have been identified serving in the Russian army, including at least 18 American citizens. Moscow's recruitment agents operate on Facebook, TikTok, and Telegram, receiving a commission of about $24,000 for each recruit. American recruits are promised a signing bonus of $26,000 and a monthly salary of $2,000, but in practice their commanders extort significant portions of their pay under threats of violence. Notable cases include Seth William Baker, a former Marine corporal killed by shell fragments three months after enlisting; Michael Gloss (21), son of a former senior CIA official, who suffered from mental health issues and was killed by artillery fire in the Donetsk region; Wilmer Puello-Mota, a former city council member who fled prosecution for pedophilia offenses; and Derek Hoffman, who moved with his family to Russia and was sent to the front. The foreign fighters serve as cannon fodder in suicide missions without cover, suffering violence, racism, and extortion.