The suspect allegedly behind the recent attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life reportedly pledged his support to Ukraine in its war against Russia, even going as far as to say he was ready to “fight and die” for Kyiv, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was charged with two federal gun charges on Monday, following the incident where he reportedly aimed at Trump from 400 yards away through a fence at a West Palm Beach golf club where the former president was playing.
Not long before his arrest, Routh had been actively trying to recruit volunteers on social media to fight in Ukraine, according to the report. In his LinkedIn profile, Routh wrote: “I would tremendously enjoy the invitation to join any monumental worthy cause to bring about real change in our world.” He stated he was free to relocate anywhere on Earth that might have a positive impact.
When Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Routh started encouraging non-Ukrainians to travel to the country and fight for the cause, stating he was ready to “fight and die” for it. He later traveled to Kyiv in April 2022, where he was rejected from joining Ukraine’s military service, prompting him to start persuading others to join the fight instead.
Chris Lutz, a German humanitarian volunteer who knew Routh in Ukraine, told the Journal: “That was his main task—that he assigned to himself.” Despite not being officially assigned by the armed forces of Ukraine, Routh took it upon himself as his personal mission to persuade others to join the fight.
Routh also tweeted at the official account of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stating that he was in Kyiv and planned to erect a tent city in the capital to attract foreign fighters, offering support and equipment. On another occasion, Routh told the Romanian version of Newsweek: “This is about good versus evil.
Routh then shifted his focus to defense production and arms imports, trying to strike deals for drone production in Ukraine. Johnny Rogers, an American who worked for a medical NGO in Ukraine, said that Routh had become more serious-looking, wearing a suit instead of his usual American flag T-shirt or bandana.
However, by the spring of last year, Routh was out of money and relocated to Hawaii before shifting his focus to Ukraine. He has been charged with possessing a firearm despite being a convicted felon and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Routh could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the first charge, and a possible five-year sentence on the second charge.
Additional charges may be filed against him as the investigation continues and prosecutors seek an indictment. A detention hearing for Routh has been set for September 23, with his arraignment planned for September 30.
