MS NOW: The FBI director flew to Moscow

So far, neither the FBI nor the White House have confirmed that the visit took place. The lack of an official position only fuels speculation.

The first rumors about Patel's planned trip to Russia appeared in July, and in recent days the topic has caused a real storm in the American media and politics. Last week, The Atlantic reported on numerous concerns raised by congressmen and FBI officials about the visit.

Political tensions and accusations of pro-Russian sympathies

Patel's visit to Moscow comes at an extremely tense moment. Just a few weeks ago, the Russian capital was visited by the head of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, who - according to unofficial reports - talked to the Russians about the war in Ukraine, Russian sabotage attacks on NATO countries and the situation in the Middle East.

Now Patel is in the spotlight. Democratic congressmen Jamie Raskin and Jim Himes called on the head of the FBI to cancel the trip, asking why a representative of the American services was going to a country accused of war crimes and interference in the US elections. Patel did not respond to these appeals or to internal suggestions to abandon the trip.

Patel: "Collaboration with non-traditional partners"

In August, in an interview with Reuters, Patel talked about the need to cooperate with "non-traditional partners" such as Russia and China, but noted that the FBI was aware of their hostile attitude.