An aircraft believed to have been carrying CIA Director John Ratcliffe has departed Moscow, according to flight-tracking data published by Flightradar24, as questions continue to surround his reported visit to the Russian capital.
Neither the United States nor Russia has publicly commented on the flight or confirmed whether Ratcliffe was aboard the aircraft.
Ratcliffe reportedly traveled to Moscow for talks, but details about whom he met and what was discussed remain unknown. If confirmed, the trip would mark the first known visit by a sitting U.S. intelligence chief to Moscow since November 2021, when Ratcliffe’s predecessor, William Burns, held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine roughly three months later.
The unexpected visit was first reported by U.S. media, while a source familiar with the matter confirmed to NBC News that Ratcliffe had traveled to Russia for discussions.
Earlier, a U.S. military C-17 Globemaster aircraft landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport after making a stop in Latvia. Images shared on social media showed the aircraft arriving in the Russian capital.
The use of a Globemaster has attracted particular attention because the aircraft is commonly used to transport vehicles and equipment during high-level international missions, including armored vehicles used in connection with U.S. presidential travel.
American diplomatic vehicles were also reportedly seen in Moscow during the visit.
The contents of Ratcliffe’s reported talks remain unclear. Among the possibilities being discussed is that he may have delivered a proposal concerning efforts to end the war in Ukraine or conveyed a warning to Moscow regarding recent security developments in Germany and the Baltic states.
For now, neither Washington nor Moscow has publicly confirmed the purpose of the visit, leaving its diplomatic significance uncertain.
