The head of the Central Intelligence Agency arrived in the Russian capital earlier on Tuesday for undisclosed discussions, CBS reported. Flight tracking data confirmed a large US military transport aircraft traveled from the United States to Russia via Latvia, departing from Riga airport in the morning and returning later the same day. Social media footage showed the C-17 transport plane approaching Moscow’s Vnukovo international airport, with additional video purporting to show a diplomatic motorcade moving through the city.
Neither Washington nor Moscow have publicly confirmed the purpose of the visit or identified who participated in the meetings. The CIA, White House, and Pentagon were contacted for comment but did not immediately respond. The trip is believed to be Ratcliffe’s first visit to Russia in his current role, though he has maintained contact with Russian intelligence officials.
In-person meetings between high-level American and Russian officials have become uncommon. A former British military attaché to Moscow suggested the visit could focus on managing escalation risks, potentially relating to recent drone activity in Germany. The official also indicated the discussions might concern the release of US citizens currently detained in Russia, an area where Ratcliffe has previously been involved in negotiations.
The CIA played a role in a 2024 prisoner exchange with Russia that resulted in the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US marine Paul Whelan, and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. Ratcliffe also participated in negotiations leading to the release of Russian-American citizen Ksenia Karelina after her detention in Russia. US-Russia relations have remained strained since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and the visit comes as peace talks between Russia and Ukraine appear to have stalled.
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