Conor Kennedy, Taylor Swift’s ex and RFK Jr.’s son, is included on Russia’s wanted list for working in Ukraine
Conor Kennedy, former boyfriend of pop star Taylor Swift and son of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been added to Russia’s international wanted list. The measure, authorized on August 12, 2026 by the Basmanny District Court in Moscow, accuses Kennedy of acting as a mercenary for fighting on behalf of Ukraine against Russian forces in the ongoing conflict.
Mercenary accusation lands Conor Kennedy on Russia’s wanted list
Russian state news agency TASS reported that the 32-year-old lawyer was formally accused of acting as a mercenary. If arrested, Conor Kennedy could face a sentence of seven to ten years in prison in Russia. This accusation is directly linked to his secret trip to Ukraine in 2022, about which he himself publicly shared details months later.
Moscow court authorizes arrest and details of “secret trip”
The decision by the Basmanny District Court in Moscow authorized the “arrest in absentia” of Conor Kennedy, which formalizes his inclusion on Russia’s list of internationally wanted individuals. Kennedy had revealed his membership in the International Legion of Ukraine in an Instagram post in October 2022, detailing his motivation and battlefield experience.
Conor Kennedy’s testimony about his experience as a volunteer
In his Instagram account, Conor Kennedy described the depth of his engagement with the Ukrainian cause. He explained that he felt a strong impulse to help after witnessing the events of the conflict. To avoid family concerns and special treatment, he kept his identity discreet during the mission.
- “Like many people, I was deeply moved by what I saw happening in Ukraine over the last year. I wanted to help.”
- “When I heard about the International Legion of Ukraine, I knew I was going, and I went to the embassy to enlist the next day.”
- “I told one person here where I was and one person there my real name.”
- “I didn’t want my family or friends to worry, and I didn’t want to be treated any differently there.”
- “My time in Ukraine wasn’t long, but I saw and felt a lot. I enjoyed being a soldier, more than I expected. It’s scary. But life is simple, and the rewards for finding courage and doing good are substantial.”
Connection to the Kennedy family and history of engagement
Conor is the son of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., current US Secretary of Health, and his late ex-wife Mary Richardson Kennedy. The Kennedy family is known for its long history of involvement in political and social causes, often generating controversy and repercussions on a global scale. Conor’s participation in the Ukrainian conflict follows, in some ways, this family tradition of public engagement.
Taylor Swift’s relationship with Conor and her strong connection to the Kennedys
Conor Kennedy gained notoriety in the summer of 2012 when his relationship with Taylor Swift came to light, including an episode in which they both allegedly crashed a family wedding. However, Taylor Swift’s connection with the Kennedy family precedes her romance with Conor. The singer had already shown admiration for matriarch Ethel Kennedy, Conor’s grandmother, even composing the song “Starlight” on her 2012 album “Red”, in honor of Ethel’s relationship with Bobby Kennedy.
Swift’s closeness with the family intensified after Rory Kennedy, Ethel’s daughter, approached the singer in 2011 to get tickets for a show. In January 2012, Rory invited Swift to the premiere of the documentary “Ethel” at the Sundance Film Festival. The singer spent Independence Day weekend at the Kennedy estate in Hyannis Port, Cape Cod, and even bought a mansion in the neighborhood, although her romance with Conor came to an end in the fall of that same year.
The developments and international impact of the Conor Kennedy case
The inclusion of Conor Kennedy on Russia’s wanted list raises questions about the next steps of Russian justice and the possibility of international persecution. The case highlights the complex implications of foreign citizens joining combat forces in international conflicts and the stance of countries like Russia towards these actions. The situation continues to be monitored, awaiting possible legal and diplomatic developments.
