Kash Patel's 'From Russia, With Love' Joke Called 'Absolutely Disgraceful' As Critics Cite Ukrainian Deaths

FBI Director Kash Patel drew criticism after posting 'From Russia, with Love...' on Wednesday, 14 October, in response to an erroneous MS NOW report that he had arrived in Russia. Patel was in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he spoke at a law enforcement event at Liberty University.

Critics objected to the remark as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported six deaths following overnight Russian attacks. MS NOW subsequently corrected its report, acknowledging that Patel had not landed in Russia.

Patel Was in Virginia When the Report Aired

MS NOW initially reported on Wednesday morning, citing two unnamed sources, that Patel had landed in Russia for a planned visit. The FBI disputed the report and published footage of him speaking at Liberty University.

'MS Now's "sources" are "familiar" with NOTHING!' the bureau wrote on X.

Footage from an ABC affiliate also showed Patel speaking at the university's law school, independently supporting the FBI's account of his location.

Correspondent Ken Dilanian later corrected the report on air, telling viewers: 'We've since learned that Patel did not, in fact, land in Russia today and remains in the U.S.'

He added: 'We regret this error.'

The anti-Trump account Republicans Against Trump called Patel's response 'absolutely disgraceful', citing Russia's continuing attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

However, its criticism also incorrectly stated that the FBI director was in Russia. That claim conflicted with the footage of his appearance in Virginia and MS NOW's correction.

Proposed Russia Visit Had Already Drawn Scrutiny

Politico reported in July that Patel was scheduled to visit Moscow and St Petersburg on 14 and 15 October, with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) likely to host him.

Following the correction, Dilanian said the timing of any potential trip remained unclear. The FBI has not publicly confirmed or ruled out the proposed visit.

The prospect had already prompted objections from Representatives Jamie Raskin and Jim Himes, the top Democrats on the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees.

In a letter released on 9 October, they highlighted the FSB's role as Russia's main counterintelligence agency and urged Patel not to proceed.

'In the interest of national security, we ask you to reconsider. Call off this trip,' they wrote.

The earlier reporting concerned a proposed itinerary. It did not establish that Patel had travelled to Russia on the dates in question, while MS NOW's correction addressed its specific claim that he had arrived there.

Russian Strikes Kill Six in Ukraine

The criticism of Patel's post came amid another wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine.

Zelensky said Russia launched dozens of missiles and more than 120 attack drones and loitering munitions overnight, targeting energy and critical infrastructure in Kyiv and Kharkiv.

He said six people were killed and about 600,000 were left without power.

Separately, CBS News reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that the US may have deliberately withheld advance warnings before an earlier Russian barrage on Tuesday. American officials attributed the failure to 'bad weather', an explanation Ukrainian officials disputed.

The same sources said the warning system appeared to be functioning again during a subsequent attack early Wednesday.

The report did not establish a complete halt in intelligence-sharing or connect Patel to the missing warning.

Critics Respond as Russian Envoy Comments

Former Trump administration official Miles Taylor criticised Patel, writing: 'We don't have to look very hard for the collusion anymore.' His remark did not provide evidence that Patel had coordinated with Russian officials.

Chef José Andrés also condemned the FBI director's post. Patel, meanwhile, accused MS NOW of repeatedly lying about the FBI and law enforcement's achievements.

Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev responded to Patel on X, saying US–Russia law enforcement dialogue would benefit the world, alongside economic and energy cooperation. His comments did not confirm that a meeting with Patel had been arranged.

Patel's presence in Virginia was documented, and MS NOW withdrew its report that he had arrived in Russia. The timing and status of any future visit remained unresolved.