2 weeks ago
Russia Puts Conor Kennedy on Wanted List Over Ukraine Service
Russia says Conor Kennedy fought as a mercenary with Ukrainian forces.
A Moscow court ordered his arrest even though he was not there.
The case is connected to Kennedy’s time with Ukraine’s International Legion in 2022.
Kennedy said he joined because he wanted to help Ukraine.
He said he had no previous military experience but was ready to learn and take risks.
He spent about two and a half months in Ukraine, although one report described his service as lasting up to four months.
Kennedy is now in the United States.
Russia’s accusations have not been independently confirmed by Western authorities, and he has not publicly answered the latest reports.
Russia placed 32-year-old Conor Kennedy on its international wanted list.
A Moscow court approved his arrest in absentia over alleged mercenary activity.
The case concerns Kennedy’s 2022 service with Ukraine’s International Legion.
Kennedy said he volunteered to help Ukraine despite having no military experience.
If captured and convicted under Russian jurisdiction, he could face seven to 10 years in prison.
- Who
- Conor Kennedy, the 32-year-old son of United States Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- What
- Russia placed Kennedy on its international wanted list after a Moscow court ordered his arrest in absentia.
- Where
- The order was issued by Moscow’s Basmanny District Court; Kennedy is in the United States.
- When
- The allegations concern Kennedy’s service in Ukraine in 2022; the arrest order was reported recently.
- Why
- Russian authorities accuse him of fighting as a mercenary alongside Ukrainian forces.
Russian authorities’ position
Kennedy’s account and available reporting
Nature of Kennedy’s role
Russian authorities’ position
Russia classifies Kennedy as a mercenary who participated in armed combat alongside Ukrainian forces.
Kennedy’s account and available reporting
Kennedy said he volunteered with Ukraine’s International Legion to help Ukraine after Russia’s invasion.
Legal status
Russian authorities’ position
Russian authorities pursued an arrest order and placed Kennedy on an international wanted list; a reported appeal was dismissed by the Moscow City Court.
Kennedy’s account and available reporting
The accusations have not been independently established by Western authorities, and Kennedy has not publicly responded to the latest reports.
Reason for serving
Russian authorities’ position
Russian prosecutors assert that foreign volunteers serving in Ukrainian military structures operated as illicit mercenaries.
Kennedy’s account and available reporting
Kennedy said he acted out of personal conviction, had no prior military experience, avoided special treatment, and was willing to die in Ukraine.
Key facts
- Person
- Conor Kennedy, age 32
- Russian action
- Kennedy was placed on Russia’s international wanted list.
- Court
- The Basmanny District Court in Moscow approved an arrest order in absentia.
- Allegation
- Russian authorities accuse Kennedy of serving as a mercenary and fighting Ukrainian forces in the Kharkiv region.
- Military unit
- Kennedy disclosed serving with Ukraine’s International Legion.
- Service duration
- Reports describe his deployment as roughly two and a half months, with one account saying two and a half to four months.
- Potential penalty
- The reported charge carries a possible seven-to-10-year prison sentence if he is captured and convicted in Russia.
Quotes
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary and father of Conor Kennedy.
“Like many people, I was deeply moved by what I saw happening in Ukraine over the past year. I wanted to help.”
livemint.com
“I told one person here where I was, and I told one person there my real name.”
livemint.com
Sources
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