CIA Chief John Ratcliffe makes reported secret trip to Moscow

CIA Director John Ratcliffe has made a previously undisclosed visit to Russia, according to US media, after US military and diplomatic aircraft were spotted at a Moscow airport.

People familiar with the trip confirmed Ratcliffe's presence in Moscow to CBS News, but neither Washington nor Moscow has publicly acknowledged the visit or disclosed its purpose. The CIA also declined to comment.

The trip came to light after images circulated showing a US Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft at a Moscow airport, along with a US diplomatic delegation.

CBS News reported that the visit appears to be Ratcliffe's first trip to Russia since becoming CIA director.

A source familiar with the matter said Washington had informed Ukraine ahead of the visit that a high-level US delegation would travel to Moscow and had asked Kyiv to refrain from carrying out strikes while the delegation was en route.

Ratcliffe's visit comes amid heightened concerns in Washington over Russia's intentions in its confrontation with the West. Recent US intelligence assessments have warned that President Vladimir Putin could authorise provocative actions against NATO members, including deniable or hybrid military operations, potentially to test the resolve of the alliance and the Trump administration.

The CIA has maintained channels with Russian intelligence officials and has previously played a role in sensitive prisoner negotiations. The agency was involved in the release of US-Russian dual national Ksenia Karelina in April last year, while Ratcliffe personally took part in discussions over her release.

The CIA also helped secure the 2024 release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan.

Ratcliffe's predecessor, William Burns, travelled to Moscow in November 2021 and met senior Russian officials, including Putin, to warn against launching an invasion of Ukraine.