Did CIA have intel on plot to attack Nato? Spy chief ‘rushes to Moscow on secret trip to warn Putin to back down’

CIA chief John Ratcliffe’s top secret visit to Moscow could have been to warn Vladimir Putin not to launch a daring attack on Nato, experts fear. The spy boss’ unprecedented trip has raised concerns the Russian tyrant could be plotting to test the alliance after worrying US intelligence reports. A top secret CIA trip to Moscow is hoped to have rattled Vladimir Putin Credit: EPA Ratcliffe was said to be on the US Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III that landed at Vnukovo International Airport Credit: Reuters It is the first time since Putin invaded Ukraine that the CIA has publicly visited Russia. The last time was in November 2021, when CIA head William Burns warned Putin not to attack. Neither the US or Russia has made any official comment on Ratcliffe’s bombshell visit – but the urgency and rare nature of the trip has sparked speculation. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! It comes amid concerning claims US intelligence indicated Moscow was preparing a mass military mobilisation and could attack Nato. Ukraine has been warning for weeks that Putin is ramping up plans to deploy 300,000 troops to the frontline and try to gain further territory. Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a Russian strike in Kyiv earlier this month Credit: AFP The US reportedly told Ukraine ahead of the trip to not launch drone swarms on Moscow Credit: Reuters CIA Director John Ratcliffe was on board a US military jet that mysteriously touched down in Moscow on Tuesday Credit: Reuters A US Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III aircraft suddenly landed in Moscow after taking off from Latvia Credit: AFP US intelligence has now received similar information, sparking Ratcliffe’s “unprecedented” trip, according to the Wall Street Journal. They also claim the CIA has uncovered rumoured Russian plans around testing the Nato alliance in the Baltics in the coming months. Former Deputy Director of US National Intelligence Beth Sanner said she believes Ratcliffe may have told Russia: “We know what you are thinking about doing, and you better not.” Experts told The Sun they agree the most likely reason for the trip would be the US delivering a stark warning to Putin based on intelligence. Most read in The Sun Bob Seeley, former MP and author of The New Total War which focuses on the war in Ukraine, said: “The main suggestion is that the CIA have gone to tell Putin, ‘don’t do anything stupid in the Baltics because we’re ready for you’. “They are clearly on the alert, and picking up stuff if they’ve gone there like this.” Bob added: “When the CIA turn up and say don’t do it, you’ve got to take that pretty seriously.” A CIA director has not stepped foot in Moscow for almost five years making Ratcliffe’s trip a major moment in US-Russian relations. Ukraine has been warning for weeks that Putin is ramping up plans to deploy 300,000 troops to the frontline and try to gain further territory Credit: AP Ukrainian soldiers walk past flaming cars after Russian bombardment near their position, in the Moskovskyi district in Kharkiv Credit: Getty The last time was just three months before Putin’s invasion of Ukraine when Bill Burns directly warned the tyrant a full-scale assault would be a disaster for him and his country. Burns claims he said the US knew what Russia was planning and issued a defiant plea for Putin to halt any invasion. It fell on deaf ears as Putin sent tanks into Ukraine in February 2022 and continues to fight on several fronts today. His military has suffered 1.4 million battlefield casualties – including an estimated 77,000 deaths in 2026 alone. Hamish noted: “When Burns went there in 2021 it didn’t really have an impact, but we’re in a different position now.” “In 2021 when Putin looked West, he didn’t see a conventional deterrence and he didn’t see something that would affect him. “In the five years since that visit, Europe has re-energised its military capability and spent billions building up defences. “I think the Kremlin will realise the Russian military has been absolutely hammered over the last five years, whereas the European armies and the US armies are pretty much intact.” US attempts to achieve peace in Europe have so far relied heavily on Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Both men are close to the US leadership but have little to no experience in military situations or real world conflict. Hamish believes the use of a powerful CIA director is a clear sign the US is taking the latest intelligence reports seriously. “This is pretty extraordinary. These things do not happen very often. Russian armoured vehicles in Rostov region in February 2022 during Putin’s invasion Credit: EPA The US has also reportedly uncovered rumoured Russian plans around testing the Nato alliance in the coming months Credit: Reuters “So it shows a sort of step up, as heads of CIA tend to be fairly undemonstrative. “I’m sure this would have been a non-political, non-diplomatic type of meeting which was very much about the facts. “I should think it was a very straightforward laying down and perhaps saying what the consequences of any actions the Russians might be thinking of taking. “And perhaps also the CIA just showing their hand a little bit and revealing a little bit of what they know.” “If you’re thinking about doing anything, just be aware, we know what you’re thinking about, so don’t do it.” Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has confirmed Ratcliffe and Putin did not meet yesterday and that the chats were between intelligence services only. It comes despite the Russian leader reportedly clearing his schedule for a “major event”. Kremlin propagandist Alexander Yunashev claimed a major event involving the president had been scheduled for Tuesday but was scrapped “a couple of days ago”. A source also told Axios the US had warned Ukraine to pause strikes on the capital, telling it a senior delegation was travelling to Moscow. Former CIA Senior Operations Officer Sean Wiswesser told The Sun: “I hope the meeting represents a warning. “Russia respects strength and we have not shown enough of that as an alliance, let’s hope the CIA visit will help change that.” Hamish added: “If the boss of the CIA has managed to turn the dial towards peace, then I think everybody would really appreciate and welcome.it” Wiswesser continued saying that while the CIA appearing to put their foot down with the tyrant is a positive sign, it remains just a verbal threat. Should Putin mobilise troops and attempt to smash through Ukraine’s defensive lines then the US must come down hard on Russia, Wiswesser said. “Deterrence cannot be a one-way proposition with escalation going unanswered,” he said. If the US wanted to ramp up pressure even more, they should begin to send more Patriot, Taurus and other long-range missile systems to Ukraine so they “have the tools they need to finish the job”. In the aftermath of the eight-hour CIA trip, the appearance of several “doomsday planes” spotted circling above the US sparked concerns on Tuesday. At least five Boeing E-6 Mercury aircraft were seen on the West Coast and in the central US, according to aviation enthusiasts. The giant jets are designed to withstand electromagnetic pulses and even nuclear and thermal blasts – hence the doomsday moniker. Top US military commanders would be aboard the aircraft if fears of a catastrophic disaster broke out so they can plan Washington’s next move. President Donald Trump has his own special jet for the same reasons – the impervious US Air Force E-4B “Nightwatch” aircraft. E-6Bs do routinely fly in the region for training making their appearance not unprecedented. Comment now