Conor Kennedy, great-nephew of the 35th US President John F. Kennedy, fought as a volunteer in the Ukrainian International Territorial Defense Legion without revealing his real name. He wrote about it on Instagram.
Conor said that he was deeply moved by what happened in Ukraine over the past year, and he wanted to help. When he heard about the legion, he decided to join, but not tell any of the family members about his decision. According to Kennedy, he told only one person about being sent to war.
“I didn’t want my family or friends to worry, and I didn’t want to be treated differently there. I had no military experience and was not a good shooter, but I could carry heavy things and learned quickly. I was ready to die there. So they soon agreed to send me to the northeastern front.”
The descendant of the American president added that he enjoyed being a soldier more than he expected, although it was scary. According to him, his friends in Ukraine know why he had to return home. Conor stated that he would always be indebted to them, and also that he was lucky to return from there. He called this war terrible, like all other wars, noting that he met in Ukraine the most courageous people he had ever known.
“My fellow legionnaires, who came from different countries, different backgrounds and with different ideologies, are real freedom fighters. So did the citizens I knew, many of whom lost everything in the long struggle against the oligarchy and for the democratic system. They know it's not a war between equals, it's a revolution."
According to him, this war will determine "the fate of democracy in this century", so you must either join the legion, or help and send medicines. Kennedy concluded that every day in Ukraine someone sacrifices everything for a lasting peace, and these people should not be asked to act alone. Conor also posted a photo of a friend named Nick who fought with him in Ukraine.
