Conor Kennedy, 32 and the son of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been placed on Russia’s international wanted list after Moscow accused him of acting as a mercenary while volunteering with Ukraine’s International Legion in 2022. A Moscow court approved an arrest in absentia on August 12; the charge could carry a seven- to ten-year prison sentence if he is detained and convicted. Kennedy publicly described enlisting at an embassy and said his time as a volunteer was short but impactful. The ruling raises extradition and long-term legal risks if he travels to a country that would cooperate with Russia.
Conor Kennedy Placed on Russia’s International Wanted List After Revealing 2022 Service With Ukraine’s International Legion
Credit: Getty Images
Conor Kennedy, the 32-year-old son of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been placed on Russia’s international wanted list after Russian authorities accused him of serving as a mercenary in Ukraine.
Giulia Be and Conor Kennedy attend the Los Angeles premiere of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Season 12 at Directors Guild Of America on January 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Credit: Getty Images
Russian state news agency TASS reports that on August 12 the Basmanny District Court in Moscow approved an arrest in absentia for Kennedy. If detained and convicted under the charge cited by Russian authorities, he could face a prison sentence of seven to ten years. The allegation appears tied to a trip he made to Ukraine in 2022, which he publicly acknowledged in an Instagram post that October.
Conor Kennedy attends the 'Ethel' New York Premiere at Time Warner Center on October 15, 2012 in New York City.Credit: Getty Images
Kennedy’s Account of Volunteering
In his October post, Kennedy wrote that he was moved by events in Ukraine and decided to enlist with Ukraine’s International Legion. He said he went to the embassy to sign up and purposely limited who knew his whereabouts: "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."
Rory Kennedy, Ethel Kennedy, and Taylor Swift attend the 'Ethel' premiere held at the MARC Theatre during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2012 in Park City, Utah.Credit: Getty Images
"My time in Ukraine wasn't long but I saw a lot and I 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."
Context and Legal Implications
Russian authorities have broadly characterized foreign volunteers who joined Ukraine's International Legion as mercenaries, a designation that carries severe penalties under Russian law. An arrest-in-absentia ruling raises the possibility of long-term legal consequences if Kennedy travels to a jurisdiction willing to extradite him to Russia.
The Moscow court action was reported by TASS and has not produced a public response from Kennedy beyond his earlier Instagram reflections. At the time of his enlistment, Kennedy said his service was brief but meaningful; he later returned to the United States and has remained a public figure due in part to his family background.
Personal Background
Conor Kennedy first drew widespread media attention in 2012 when he briefly dated pop star Taylor Swift. He is currently engaged to Brazilian singer Giulia Be. He is the son of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the late Mary Richardson Kennedy.
Note: Reporting on this matter cites Russian state media (TASS) for the court action and Kennedy’s own Instagram post for his account of traveling to Ukraine.
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