CIA Director John Ratcliffe on Secret Trip in Russia

Updated on: August 25, 2026 / 7:45 PM EDT / CBS News

CIA Director John Ratcliffe on Secret Trip in Russia

TL;DR

  • CIA Director John Ratcliffe is reportedly in Moscow, Russia, for meetings.
  • A U.S. Air Force transport plane and U.S. diplomatic motorcade were also spotted in Moscow.
  • Neither the U.S. nor Russian governments have commented on the visit's purpose.
  • Recent U.S. intelligence assessments indicate a potential shift in President Putin's risk calculus.
  • The CIA has played a role in past U.S.-Russia detainee and prisoner exchanges.