Robert F. Kennedy's grandson Conor Kennedy revealed in a social media post that he secretly fought in Ukraine this year, despite having no military experience. Now he has recounted his experience.
Conor Kennedy joined the International Legion and fought to defend Ukraine.
He did not reveal his name because he did not want to be treated differently.
"This war will shape the fate of democracy in this century" - he wrote and appealed for help to Ukraine.
In a post on his Instagram profile, Conor Kennedy wrote that he wanted to talk about his struggle on the front lines before it came out in other ways. "I want to make the most of it and encourage others to take action. Like many people, I was deeply moved by what I saw in Ukraine over the past year. I wanted to help. When I heard about the International Legion, I knew I was going, and the next day I went to the embassy." - began his entry.
I told one person where I was and only revealed my real name to one. I didn't want my family or friends to worry or be treated differently. Going in, I had no prior military experience and was not a good shot, but I could carry heavy things and learn quickly. I was ready to die. Soon they agreed to send me to the northeastern front
- he wrote.
Kennedy added that he didn't stay long in Ukraine and was lucky to make it back, but he would leave to fight once again.
"My friends there [in Ukraine - ed. note] know why I had to return home. I will always be grateful to them for the example they set for me. I know that I'm lucky to have made it back, but I also know that I would take all that risk again." - he assured.
Robert F. Kennedy's grandson recounted his experience.
"This war, like all other wars, is terrifying. The people I met were the bravest I knew"
"My fellow Legionnaires - who came from different countries, backgrounds, ideologies - are true freedom fighters. Like the citizens I met, many of them have lost everything in their long struggle against the oligarchy and in favor of the democratic system. They know that this is not a war between equals, it is a revolution," he wrote.
Finally, he appealed for help for Ukraine.
"This war will shape the fate of democracy in this century (...) Join the Legion, help at the border or send medical supplies. There, every day, someone is sacrificing everything for lasting peace. They can't fight for it alone."
In April, the Legion changed its rules and began accepting only those with military experience. "We realized that training people who don't have it consumes a lot of resources," - Corporal Damien Magrou said.
Conor Kennedy's girlfriend, Brazilian singer Giulia Be, wrote in a comment:
"You are the bravest man I've ever met, my love. Being away from you and worrying all these months has been incredibly difficult, but we believed in the goal the whole time and I just want to tell you [again ] how proud I am."