Moscow confirms visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe

The Russian government said that spy chief John Ratcliffe held talks with counterparts, but not President Vladimir Putin, on his Moscow trip.

The director of the CIA made a surprise visit to Moscow for talks with Russian officials, but both capitals remained tight-lipped on purpose of the trip.

Flight trackers exposed the CIA director's Russia trip before officials revealed it, but the mission's purpose remains hidden.

Ukraine suspended strikes on Moscow and other Russian cities at Washington’s request while CIA director John Ratcliffe made a secret visit to the Russian capital.

CIA chief John Ratcliffe ‘visits Moscow’  The Times

A U.S. military plane landed at an airport in Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe was among those on board. Charlie D'Agata reports.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe reportedly made a surprise Moscow visit, but neither the US nor Russia confirmed it. Reports cite flight data and a US official.

CIA chief 'flies to Moscow for mystery talks with Russia'  lbc.co.uk

Washington reportedly alerted Ukraine to refrain from strikes until delegation leaves Moscow, US media reports.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe secretly visited Moscow aboard a not-so-secret C-17 Globemaster to engage in high-level discussions with Russian officials. His visit was reported by CBS News and was cited by Russian state media, including TASS. U.S. and Russian officials both declined to comment or claimed ignorance. Kreml

CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced visit to Moscow. He flew in from Riga aboard a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 military transport plane that landed at Vnukovo Airport on the morning of Aug. 25. Around 7 p.m., it emerged that the American plane that had brought Ratcliffe had departed Moscow.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe Makes Surprise Trip to Moscow  WSJ

A US Air Force C-17 military transport plane landed in Moscow on Tuesday, Aug. 25 after flying from Riga, raising questions about the mission. CBS News later reported that CIA Director John Ratcliffe was in Moscow for apparent meetings with Russian authorities.

Unannounced trip reported by US media is said to be Ratcliffe’s first known visit to Russia as CIA chief The CIA director, John Ratcliffe, has made an unannounced visit to Moscow, US media reported, after flight data showed an American military aircraft flew to the Russian capital, where a US diplomatic motorcade was l

If confirmed, it would mark Ratcliffe’s first known trip to Russia since becoming CIA directorA US Air Force C-17 military transport aircraft landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport on Tuesday, triggering speculation over who was aboard and why the aircraft had flown to Russia at a time when US-Russia contacts over the Ukra

A US Air Force transport jet made a highly unusual landing in Moscow on Tuesday, sparking a frenzy of theories about its mysterious mission.

John Ratcliffe reportedly arrived in the Russian capital on Tuesday for meetings, in what appears to be his first visit to Russia as CIA director.

The CIA, Department of Defense and Air Force declined to comment.

Ratcliffe is one of Trump's most trusted advisers and heavily involved with the Iran war, though it is unclear what he may be discussing with Russian leaders.

The mysterious flight sparked confusion. 15:20, Tue, Aug 25, 2026 Updated: 15:20, Tue, Aug 25, 2026 Ratcliffe (Image: Getty)CIA Director Ratcliffe reportedly travelled to Russia aboard a C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft for meetings in Moscow on Tuesday.MORE UPDATES TO FOLLOW... Get the latest news from around t