CIA DIRECTOR SECRETLY TRAVELS TO MOSCOW

MOSCOW, AUGUST 25 /SRNA/ - CIA Director John Ratcliffe has arrived in Moscow, where he is expected to hold meetings with Russian intelligence officials, CBS News reported.

News of the CIA director’s trip emerged after a U.S. Air Force Boeing Globemaster transport aircraft was spotted at a Moscow airport, along with a convoy of vehicles bearing U.S. diplomatic plates.

This is Ratcliffe’s first known trip to Russia since becoming CIA director, although he has maintained regular contact with Russian intelligence officials, the outlet said.

The CIA also played a role in recent prisoner exchanges between the United States and Russia, including the release of U.S.-Russian dual national Ksenia Karelina in April 2025, which Ratcliffe personally negotiated.

The agency was also involved in the 2024 prisoner exchange that secured the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.