Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Conor Kennedy Placed on Russia Wanted List Over Ukraine Fighting
Russia has put Conor Kennedy on its international wanted list.
Kennedy is an American lawyer and the son of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Russian authorities accuse him of fighting as a mercenary for Ukrainian forces.
The charge relates to Russia’s law about mercenaries in wars.
A Moscow court ordered his arrest even though he was not present.
His lawyers appealed, but another court upheld the decision.
The case was heard behind closed doors.
Kennedy previously said he joined Ukraine’s International Legion in 2022.
He said he fought in the Kharkiv region and returned to the United States in October 2022.
Russia placed 32-year-old American lawyer Conor Kennedy on its international wanted list.
Russian authorities accuse Kennedy of serving as a mercenary alongside Ukrainian forces.
A Moscow court ordered Kennedy’s arrest in absentia under Part 3 of Article 353.
An appeals court upheld the decision after Kennedy’s American legal team challenged it.
Kennedy previously said he fought in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region with the International Legion and returned in October 2022.
- Who
- Conor Kennedy, a 32-year-old American lawyer and son of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- What
- Russia placed Kennedy on its international wanted list and accused him of participating as a mercenary in an armed conflict.
- When
- The Moscow court ruling was issued on August 12; Kennedy said he returned from Ukraine in October 2022.
- Where
- The alleged fighting took place in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, and the court proceedings took place in Moscow, Russia.
- Why
- Russian authorities allege that Kennedy fought alongside Ukrainian forces as a mercenary.
Russian Authorities’ Allegations
Kennedy’s Account
Role in the Ukraine war
Russian Authorities’ Allegations
Russian authorities accuse Kennedy of serving as a mercenary while fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia.
Kennedy’s Account
Kennedy previously said he joined Ukraine’s International Legion because he wanted to help after being moved by events in Ukraine.
Military service
Russian Authorities’ Allegations
The charge treats his alleged participation as mercenary activity under Russian law.
Kennedy’s Account
Kennedy said he had no prior military experience, learned quickly, and fought in the Kharkiv region while keeping his identity secret.
Court decision
Russian Authorities’ Allegations
The Moscow court authorized his arrest in absentia, and an appeals court upheld the decision.
Kennedy’s Account
Kennedy’s American legal team disagreed with the arrest decision and appealed it; the appeal was unsuccessful.
- Accused
- Conor Kennedy
- Age
- 32
- Russian charge
- Participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict or military action
- Legal provision
- Part 3 of Article 353 of the Russian Criminal Code
- Court action
- Arrest ordered in absentia by Moscow’s Basmanny District Court
- Potential sentence
- Seven to 10 years in prison if detained and convicted
- Reported Ukrainian unit
- Ukraine’s International Legion
