RFK Jr.’s son Conor Kennedy put on Russia's most wanted list
Conor Kennedy, the son of US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has found himself on Russia’s international wanted list for being an alleged mercenary for the Ukrainian armed forces.
According to Russian state media TASS, Conor is being charged with participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict or military action, which is considered a crime under Article 353 of the Russian Criminal Code.
If convicted, he could be sentenced to seven to 10 years in prison.
The Basmanny District Court of Moscow authorized Conor’s arrest in absentia. While his legal team tried to appeal it, the district court's decision was upheld by the appeals court.
Conor had enlisted in the International Legion of Ukraine in 2022, serving on the Kharkiv front. His biography on his firm’s website stated that he had gone through a "challenging time," but is "most proud of the work he and his team did there."
He also previously opened up about his experience in the country in an Instagram post, sharing that he joined the legion as he was "deeply moved" by what he saw happening in Ukraine.
"I told one person here where I was, and I told one person there my real name. I didn’t want my family or friends to worry, and I didn’t want to be treated differently there," he said.
"Going in, I had no prior military experience and wasn’t a great shot, but I could carry heavy things and learned fast. I was also willing to die there. So they soon agreed to send me to the northeastern front," he continued.
While he only stayed there for a short period of time, Conor said that he "saw a lot and felt a lot."
"I liked being a soldier, more than I had expected. It is scary. But life is simple, and the rewards for finding courage and doing good are substantial. My friends there know why I had to come home. l’ll always owe them for their example. I know I’m lucky I made it back, but I would also take all the risks we took over again," he said.
He went on to underscore how the was was "horrific" and that it "will shape the fate of democracy in this century."
"There’s more to say about its politics and the role of western governments there. For now, I’ll only urge you to help in your personal capacity. Join the legion, help on the border, or send medical supplies. Every day, someone there sacrifices everything for a lasting peace. They can’t be asked to act alone," he ended.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022, when Russian forces launched a major military offensive across the counrty. The war remains ongoing.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, RFK Jr. said that he only became suspicious of his son's whereabouts at the time when his credit card showed charges from Poland and Ukraine. However, he said that he was proud of his son’s decision.
Conor is known to have had a whirlwind romance with Taylor Swift in the past. However, they broke up in 2012, and Conor has since found new love in his fiancée, Brazilian singer Giulia Be.