USAF C-17 carries CIA chief into Moscow on quiet trip

C-17 departed Andrews area August 23

Overnighted in Riga Latvia

Flew direct to Vnukovo August 25 morning

Landed around 10 a.m. local

Reports say John Ratcliffe was aboard for meetings

First known CIA director visit to Moscow in years

Plane left later same day

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/08/25/cia-director-moscow-rare-unannounced-trip/

Factcheck: The C-17 flight is real. Tail 07-7181 callsign RCH4555 left Joint Base Andrews, stopped in Riga Latvia, then flew straight into Moscow Vnukovo on August 25. Multiple outlets confirmed it carried CIA Director John Ratcliffe for unannounced meetings. Kremlin first said it knew nothing. Purpose still not public. Not a random cargo hop.

https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/us-air-force-c17-riga-moscow-vnukovo

h/t Cristinky420