Ryan Routh, a man suspected of planning an attack on former President Donald Trump during a golf outing, had a strong connection to Ukraine. Routh visited Ukraine after Russia's invasion of the country over two years ago. Video and images placed him in Kyiv's Independence Square, where he attended a rally in support of Ukrainian troops on May 1, 2022. About six weeks later, he was seen standing next to a Ukraine flag calling for international volunteers to aid the war effort.
In a video from April 2022, Routh referred to Russian President Putin as a 'terrorist' and urged global support to end the conflict. Despite contacting Ukraine's foreign legion multiple times, Routh was not part of the military unit that accepts overseas volunteers.
Routh's social media activity revealed his unwavering support for Ukraine. He made numerous posts in 2022 expressing his willingness to sacrifice his life in the fight and advocating for the destruction of the Kremlin. On Facebook, he actively sought to recruit foreign fighters for the war, targeting Afghan conscripts and portraying himself as an unofficial liaison for the Ukrainian government.
