CIA chief's plane leaves Moscow after secret visit

A US Air Force aircraft departed from Moscow.

Consensus

A U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 Globalmaster III arrived at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on August 25, 2024.
The aircraft departed Moscow later the same day and was headed toward Riga.
The flight was tracked via Flightradar24 data.
The aircraft had the registration number RCH4555.
The U.S. government and the Russian government did not officially confirm the identity of any passenger or the purpose of the visit.
The aircraft was observed with an American diplomatic convoy at Vnukovo airport.

It is unknown whether John Ratcliffe was on board the aircraft. — fontanka
The Kremlin's official spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated he had no information about the aircraft. — fontanka
Alexander Yunashyov, a Kremlin pool journalist, claimed that Putin’s schedule was changed due to the arrival of the CIA director. — fontanka
The U.S. reportedly warned Ukraine to suspend attacks during the visit, including in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and northern regions. — fontanka
CNN noted the visit occurred the day after the U.S. launched 'Economic Outcast' operation against Iran. — fontanka
Ukrainian media claimed Ratcliffe intended to discuss mutual cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure. — fontanka
Social media speculated that a prisoner exchange might be underway. — tg_istories_media
The 2025 flight route closely matched a 2023 route used during a previous prisoner swap. — riamo
The last time a U.S. special transport aircraft arrived in Russia was 1.5 years prior, during a prisoner exchange involving Alexander Vinnik and Mark Fogel. — riamo
The aircraft departed Riga at 8:50 and landed in Moscow at 10:00 Moscow time. — tg_bazabazon
A rumor circulated that Kanye West was on board the aircraft. — tg_moscowmap
This was the first U.S. military transport aircraft to arrive in Russia in nine years. — tg_dwglavnoe