Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Putin Puts RFK Jr.'s Son Conor on Russia's Most Wanted List
A man named Conor Kennedy is in trouble with Russia.
Russia says he helped Ukrainian soldiers in a war, which is against Russia's rules.
Conor is part of a very famous American family.
His great-uncle was a former president of the United States.
His father works for President Trump in the US government.
Conor said on Instagram that he wanted to help Ukrainian people.
He said he was even willing to risk his life.
A court in Moscow has made an order to arrest him.
He is not in Russia right now, so he probably will not go to jail soon.
If he is found guilty, he could spend a long time in prison.
A Moscow court has authorised the arrest in absentia of Conor Kennedy, the 32-year-old son of US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Russian authorities accuse Kennedy of serving as a mercenary with Ukrainian forces during the Russia-Ukraine war.
Kennedy disclosed on Instagram in October 2022 that he had joined Ukraine's International Legion of Foreign Volunteers.
Russia alleges he fought in the Kharkiv region under an assumed identity, a claim not independently confirmed.
If convicted, Kennedy could face a prison sentence of seven to 10 years, though he remains outside Russia.
- Who
- Conor Kennedy, the 32-year-old son of US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- What
- Conor Kennedy was placed on Russia's international wanted list after a Moscow court authorised his arrest in absentia over alleged mercenary service with Ukrainian forces.
- When
- The arrest was authorised by a Moscow court following Kennedy's October 2022 disclosure that he had joined Ukraine's International Legion of Foreign Volunteers.
- Where
- The case was brought in Moscow, Russia, and concerns alleged fighting in Ukraine's Kharkiv region.
- Why
- Russian authorities accuse Kennedy of serving as a mercenary with Ukrainian forces in the Russia-Ukraine war, a case with political significance because his father serves in President Trump's Cabinet.
- Person
- Conor Kennedy, 32, grandnephew of former US President John F. Kennedy
- Accusation
- Serving as a mercenary with Ukrainian forces
- Legal Action
- Moscow court authorised arrest in absentia; placed on Russia's international wanted list
- Potential Sentence
- Seven to 10 years in prison if convicted
- Military Background
- No previous military experience; brief time in Ukraine
- Family
- Son of US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; married Brazilian singer-songwriter Giulia Be this year
- Political Context
- Father serves in President Donald Trump's Cabinet; Trump and Putin have maintained dialogue on ending the Russia-Ukraine war