Ukraine military units deny links to suspected Trump shooter

Ukraine’s International Legion and the Azov Brigade have both refuted claims that Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspected shooter in an alleged assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump, was ever associated with them.

Despite social media reports and videos suggesting ties between Routh and the Ukrainian military units, both groups issued statements denying any connection.

“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 International Legion told Euronews. “Any claims or suggestions indicating otherwise are entirely inaccurate.”

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The International Legion, formed in 2022 to allow foreign volunteers to fight against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, became a focal point after reports surfaced that Routh had traveled to Ukraine to recruit fighters. Additionally, a video circulated on social media claiming Routh had participated in a 2022 event supporting the Azov Brigade’s Mariupol unit, further fueling speculation.

In response, the Azov Brigade, a controversial yet highly visible unit within Ukraine’s National Guard, issued a strong denial. “We would like to officially state that Ryan Wesley Routh has no connection to Azov and has never had any connection to Azov,” the unit posted on X. The statement went on to warn that linking Routh to the unit was aiding “Russian propaganda” and undermining Ukraine’s defense forces.

Routh, identified by the FBI as a suspect in a failed shooting attempt on Trump at a Florida golf course on Sunday, has publicly expressed support for Ukraine. According to reports, he told *The New York Times* in 2023 that he had traveled to Ukraine to assist in recruiting Afghan soldiers who had fled the Taliban and were seeking to fight for Ukraine.

While Routh’s claims of involvement in Ukraine’s defense have circulated in the media, the extent of his actual participation remains unclear. A post from July on his Facebook page suggested he was still actively trying to secure authorization to bring Afghan soldiers into the fight, but that his efforts had stalled. “We are still trying to get Ukraine to accept Afghan soldiers,” Routh wrote, urging patience from potential recruits.

As investigations continue, both Ukrainian military units have sought to distance themselves from any association with Routh, maintaining that his actions and affiliations have no bearing on their operations. Euronews has not been able to independently verify Routh’s claims.