Conor Kennedy placed on Russia's wanted list

Conor Kennedy, the 32-year-old son of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been placed on Russia's international wanted list for allegedly fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. The Basmanny District Court of Moscow authorized his arrest in absentia on August 12, 2026, according to reports from the Russian news agency TASS.

Under the charges, Kennedy faces between seven and 10 years in prison if captured. The accusation stems from his decision to secretly join Ukraine's International Legion in 2022, following Russia's full-scale invasion. Kennedy, who is the grandson of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and grandnephew of President John F. Kennedy, publicly disclosed his service later that year via an Instagram post on October 14, 2022.

In that post, Kennedy explained his motivation, writing that he was "deeply moved" by the events in Ukraine and "wanted to help." He detailed that he went to the Ukrainian embassy to enlist the next day and served on the northeastern front for several months, despite having no prior military experience. To protect his family and avoid different treatment, he used a pseudonym and told only a few people his...