Russia Arrests John F. Kennedy’s Grandnephew in Absentia Over Fighting for Ukraine

A Moscow court has arrested U.S. citizen Conor Kennedy in absentia and placed him on an international wanted list over his alleged participation in combat operations as part of Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

The Russian state propaganda agency TASS reported this, citing a court ruling that upheld the arrest following a closed-door appeal hearing.

Russian investigators have accused the grandson of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and grandnephew of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy of mercenary activities.

Under Russian law, the charge carries a prison sentence of between seven and 10 years.

In October 2022, Conor Kennedy himself said that he had secretly fought on Ukraine’s side as part of the International Legion in the Kharkiv area.

He said he had joined the legion through the Ukrainian embassy shortly after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. He had no prior military experience, and only a few people knew about his deployment to the front and his real surname.

After returning home, Kennedy called on the international community to support Ukraine by all possible means.