MOSCOW: MOSCOW: The Kremlin on Monday said that the Ukrainian affiliations of the alleged shooter in the failed assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump showed the risks of the United States’ involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
This statement follows the identification of Ryan Wesley Routh as the suspect in the incident, which occurred at a Florida golf course on Sunday.
Russian officials seized upon reports suggesting a connection between Routh and Ukrainian military units to underscore their criticism of US support for Ukraine. The Kremlin’s remarks appear aimed at highlighting the repercussions of Washington’s extensive military aid to Kyiv amidst Russia’s ongoing invasion.
However, the Ukrainian military units involved have firmly denied any links to Routh. Both the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine and the Azov Brigade, two prominent Ukrainian military groups, have disavowed any association with the suspect.
The International Legion, a unit of foreign volunteers fighting for Ukraine, clarified that Routh was never part of their organization. “We would like to clarify that Ryan Wesley Routh has never been part of, associated with, or linked to the International Legion in any capacity,” the unit said in a statement to Euronews.
Similarly, the Azov Brigade, another well-known Ukrainian military unit, refuted claims linking Routh to their organization. A video circulating on social media alleged Routh’s involvement with the Azov Brigade, but the brigade rejected these claims. “We would like to officially state that Ryan Wesley Routh has no connection to Azov and has never had any connection to Azov,” the brigade said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
Routh, identified as a suspect in the shooting attempt on Trump, had reportedly expressed support for Ukraine in media interviews.
