British-American influencer Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan, arrived in Moscow on Tuesday in a trip that sparked rumors that they plan to attend Russia's top annual business conference, writes the independent publication The Moscow Times.
On his account on the X social network, Andrew Tate posted a video in which he and his brother are greeted with a traditional Russian ritual of “bread and salt”, accompanied by folk songs and dances. “Brothers in Moscow,” he wrote, adding a Russian proverb: “Make new friends, but don't lose old ones.”
Make new friends and don't lose old ones!
🇷🇺 🫡
Dads in Moscow. pic.twitter.com/OqZbkNsRSa
— Andrew Tate (@Cobratate) June 2, 2026
Tate, who has previously described himself as “absolutely sexist” and “absolutely misogynistic” in a series of viral clips and posts, and his brother have become famous as members of the “manosphere,” an informal network of online communities united by opposition to feminism and a belief that society is biased against men.
The two are the subject of a criminal investigation in Romania from 2022. They are accused, among other things, of forming an organized criminal group, human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual relations with a minor and money laundering. The Tate brothers have denied the allegations.
British authorities have also charged the brothers with crimes including rape, grievous bodily harm, human trafficking and exploitation of prostitution for profit. They also deny these allegations.
The purpose of their visit to Russia is not clear, but some have speculated that the two may plan to attend the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, which begins on Wednesday.
Rybar, a well-known Russian pro-war Telegram channel with more than a million subscribers, criticized the visit, calling the two “monosphere” influencers a “bad choice” for the authorities if they had invited them, and describing their presence in the country as “embarrassing.”
The Tate brothers' arrival in Russia comes just days after right-wing American commentator Candace Owens announced she was visiting Moscow. Russian state media reported that Owens was expected to participate in a roundtable discussion on “family values” at the economic forum in St. Petersburg.
