World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
FBI says director Kash Patel is in Virginia, not Russia
The FBI denied that director Kash Patel had traveled to Russia on October 14.
The bureau said Patel was at Liberty University in Virginia, and Patel also rejected the claim.
MS NOW had reported, citing two sources, that Patel was in Russia for a meeting, but it did not identify who he would meet.
The Kremlin declined to comment, saying visits by intelligence chiefs are rarely announced.
Reuters had reported in August that Patel might visit Russia as part of new cooperation with Russian and Chinese law enforcement on transnational crime.
That cooperation has raised concerns in the US intelligence community because Russia and China are viewed as major US geopolitical rivals.
The earlier report was widely repeated by Russian media, and one outlet later apologized for sharing it.
The FBI said director Kash Patel was at Liberty University in Virginia, contradicting reports that he had travelled to Russia.
The bureau said Patel was attending an event honoring law enforcement officers and shared video of him.
MS NOW had reported, citing two sources, that Patel was in Russia for a meeting.
The Kremlin declined to comment on the reports, saying such visits are rarely announced.
- Who
- FBI director Kash Patel.
- What
- The FBI said Patel was in Virginia, not Russia, contradicting a report that he had travelled to Russia for a meeting.
- When
- October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Liberty University in Virginia, according to the FBI.
- Why
- The reported purpose was a meeting, but who it was with and why it was planned were not stated.
MS NOW report
FBI
Location
MS NOW report
MS NOW reported that Patel had arrived in Russia.
FBI
The FBI said Patel was at Liberty University in Virginia.
Meeting
MS NOW report
MS NOW reported that a meeting was planned but did not identify whom Patel would meet.
FBI
The FBI said Patel was attending an event honoring law enforcement officers.
Reuters reported that Patel might visit Russia in October.
MS NOW reported, citing two sources, that Patel had arrived in Russia and had a meeting planned.
The FBI said Patel was at an event at Liberty University in Virginia and denied the report.
- FBI director
- Kash Patel
- Location stated by FBI
- Liberty University, Virginia
- Reported destination
- Russia
- Reported meeting
- Planned, but the other participant was not identified
- Report date
- October 14, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
In fact, Kash Patel is at Liberty University, where an event honoring law enforcement officers is taking place
Such visits are almost never announced, so I have nothing to tell you here
Posts on X
Left: MS Now reports two sources familiar say Kash Patel just landed in Russia Right: Here’s where Kash Patel actually is… Liberty U, doing a law enforcement appreciation event MS Now’s “sources” are “familiar” with NOTHING!