CIA chief John Ratcliffe was aboard US mystery plane that landed in Moscow: Report
Data from Flightradar24 earlier showed a US military C-17 travelling from the United States to Latvia and then on to Moscow.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe journeyed to Moscow on Tuesday to hold meetings, according to US media reports. Russian state-run Tass news service initially announced that a large US military transport plane had touched down in Moscow. CBS News and CNN also confirmed Ratcliffe's arrival in Moscow. The purpose of the meetings remains uncertain, as the CIA has not yet commented on the matter.
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft touched down at Vnukovo airport in the Russian capital in the morning, after making a stop in Latvia en route from Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, as per Tass. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, did not provide any remarks regarding the aircraft. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that there were no meetings scheduled with US administration officials that week.
Ukrainian former deputy minister of internal affairs Anton Gerashchenko noted that the US dispatching Ratcliffe to Moscow was unusual, as he is seen as an aggressive figure towards Russia. This visit might be interpreted as a warning that the US could toughen its stance if Russia persists in refusing to end the war in Ukraine, Gerashchenko stated on social media platform X. He suggested that Ratcliffe's trip could be linked to Russia's growing hybrid war against Europe.
On Monday, the US announced a broad new set of sanctions against Iran, instructing countries not to engage in trade with Tehran or face economic repercussions. Russia and Iran have a strong relationship, with Tehran having provided Russia with drones for its war against Ukraine. In March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Russia had supplied Iran with drones similar to those used by Russia.
According to a Ukrainian intelligence assessment reported by Reuters in April, Russia has assisted Iran in obtaining satellite imagery for targeting US bases in the Middle East. Russia has denied any involvement in this matter and has stated its readiness to aid in resolving the Iran conflict.
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Also reported by 6 other outlets
- CIA head Ratcliffe lands in Moscow for meetings, reports say thenationalnews.com
- Man charged with forging Chief Justice John Roberts’s signature, impersonating NSA agent thehill.com
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced visit to Moscow. Here’s what we know. meduza.io
- CIA Director Ratcliffe lands in Moscow for talks: Reports qatar-tribune.com
- A US Air Force transport aircraft landed at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. No one knows why hindustantimes.com
- US military plane C-17 lands in Moscow, Kremlin says ‘it has no information’ indianexpress.com
