Taylor Swift’s Ex Conor Kennedy Added to Russia’s Wanted List Over Ukraine Service

Conor Kennedy, the 32-year-old son of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been placed on Russia’s international wanted list over his past service with Ukrainian forces, according to Russian state media.

Russia has accused Kennedy of acting as a mercenary for the Ukrainian armed forces. TASS reported that he has been charged under Article 359 of the Russian Criminal Code, which covers the participation of mercenaries in armed conflicts or military operations. If convicted and detained in Russia, he could face seven to 10 years in prison.

On Aug. 12, the Basmanny District Court in Moscow ordered Kennedy’s arrest in absentia. His lawyers appealed the decision, but an appeals court later upheld the ruling.

Kennedy served with Ukraine’s International Legion in 2022, while he was taking a break from his law studies at Georgetown University. He spent about 10 weeks near the Kharkiv front.

His experience in Ukraine was not widely known at the time. In an Instagram post, Kennedy said he had kept his decision to enlist secret from his family and most of his friends.

“I told one person here where I was, and I told one person there my real name,” he wrote. “I didn’t want my family or friends to worry, and I didn’t want to be treated differently there.”

Kennedy said he had no previous military experience and initially was not a strong marksman, but he learned quickly and was able to carry heavy equipment. He also acknowledged the risks involved.

“I was also willing to die there,” he wrote.

Looking back on his time in Ukraine, Kennedy said he found military life unexpectedly meaningful despite the danger.

“I liked being a soldier, more than I had expected,” he wrote. “It is scary. But life is simple, and the rewards for finding courage and doing good are substantial.”

Kennedy is also known for his connection to pop star Taylor Swift. The pair briefly dated in 2012, and Kennedy has been linked to Swift’s song “Starlight.”

He is now engaged to Brazilian singer Giulia Be. The couple announced their engagement in August 2024 and are preparing to marry. Be recently shared photos from her bachelorette celebration on Instagram.

The Russian arrest order does not mean Kennedy has been convicted of a crime. Because the case was handled in absentia, the immediate legal consequences for him depend on whether Russian authorities can take him into custody.