Tate Brothers Face Counter-Terror Probe Over ‘Russian Propaganda’ Video
Andrew and Tristan Tate Reported to UK Counter-Terror Police Over Russia Video
What Happened?
Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate — famous social media personalities — have been reported to Britain’s counter-terrorism police and the Home Office (the UK government department responsible for immigration, security, and law and order).
The reason? A video they posted on social media back in June 2026 showing them in Russia, dressed in military gear, using real Russian military weapons and vehicles.
What Was in the Video?
The video shows the Tate brothers at what looks like a Russian military training facility. Here’s what they did:
- Wore camouflage uniforms and body armor
- Rode a Soviet-era T-80BV battle tank
- Used a flamethrower
- Threw live grenades from a trench
- Were told by a guide they could win a "special medal" from Russia’s Minister of Defence
Photos from the video show the brothers in a battlefield-style environment, with Tristan wearing camouflage adorned with the Russian flag.
Why Is This a Big Deal?
The Complaint
Alicia Kearns, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Rutland and Stamford, filed the complaint. She says:
"Putin has his latest propaganda puppets: the Tate Brothers. Andrew and Tristan Tate filmed themselves sprouting pro-Kremlin propaganda whilst using Russian weapons."
The Law: National Security Act & FIRS
The UK passed a law called the National Security Act (2023). It created something called the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS).
In simple terms:
If you’re in the UK and you do work for a foreign government — especially a "hostile" one like Russia — you must register with the government. This includes spreading their propaganda.
Kearns argues the Tates may have broken this law by:
- Filming content that looks like Russian propaganda
- Doing it on a Russian military base
- Possibly receiving help, direction, or access from the Russian state
Important Point:
If the Russian government helped them get onto that base or told them what to say — and they didn’t register — they may have committed a crime under UK law.
What Do the Tate Brothers Say?
Their representatives sent a statement to LBC (a UK radio station) and The Independent:
| Claim | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Private visit | "The visit was private and personal" |
| No Russian government involvement | "No payment, compensation, financial assistance or direction from the Russian state" |
| No talking points | They didn’t deliver messages written by the Russian government |
| Just like a gun range | "Going to a gun range is as American as apple pie… Lawful conduct does not become a crime because the government finds it frightening." |
Their argument:
They were just having fun shooting guns and riding a tank — like Americans do at gun ranges. It wasn’t "military training" or "propaganda."
Background: The Brothers’ Past Comments on Russia
This isn’t the first time the Tates have said things that sound pro-Russia:
Andrew Tate (2023, on Tucker Carlson’s show)
"If you are naive enough to believe that there are good guys and bad guys in wars… then you need to do a little bit more investigation into what is really happening."
He also praised Vladimir Putin for his handling of COVID-19.
Tristan Tate (2024, on X/Twitter)
Responding to a Russian official (Dmitry Medvedev) threatening NATO:
"We are relying on Russia to save the world" — and warned Russia not to let the US "provoke" it.
Where Are the Tate Brothers Now?
Current Status (as of August 2026):
- Arrested in Miami on July 18, 2026
- Charges: Rape, assault, and facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation
- Status: In federal custody, fighting extradition to the United Kingdom
They face separate legal troubles in Romania and the UK — this new report to counter-terror police adds another layer.
Summary
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Who | Andrew & Tristan Tate (social media influencers) |
| What | Video filmed in Russia showing them using military weapons & a tank |
| When | Video posted June 2026; complaint filed August 2026 |
| Who complained | MP Alicia Kearns → UK Counter-Terror Police & Home Office |
| Legal basis | UK National Security Act (2023) → Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) |
| Core issue | Did they act as unregistered foreign agents for Russia? |
| Tates’ defense | Private trip, no Russian government involvement, just recreational shooting |
| Current status | In US federal custody, fighting extradition to UK |
FAQ
What is the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS)?
It’s a UK law that says: If you work for a foreign government’s interests in the UK — especially a hostile one — you must register. It’s like a "sign-in sheet" so the government knows who’s being influenced by whom.
Why is Russia considered a "hostile state" by the UK?
Because of actions like:
- Invading Ukraine (2022)
- Cyberattacks on UK institutions
- Poisonings on UK soil (e.g., Salisbury Novichok attack, 2018)
- Election interference allegations
Can the Tates be charged just for making a video?
Not for the video alone. But if investigators prove:
- The Russian government directed, funded, or facilitated the trip
- The content was designed to promote Russian narratives
- The Tates didn’t register under FIRS
…then yes, they could face criminal charges in the UK.
What does "counter-terror police" have to do with this?
In the UK, counter-terror police also handle national security threats — including foreign interference and hostile state activity. This falls under their remit, not just "terrorism" in the traditional sense.
Will this affect their US extradition case?
Possibly. If the UK adds new charges, it could complicate or delay extradition. But the US case (rape, assault, trafficking) is separate from this UK national security investigation.
Bottom Line:
This isn’t just about two guys shooting guns in Russia. It’s about whether a foreign power (Russia) used famous influencers to spread its message — and whether those influencers broke UK law by not declaring it.
The investigation will decide: Was this a fun trip… or a coordinated influence operation?