Exclusive: Ukraine Volunteer Calls Ryan Wesley Routh 'Delusional and a Liar'

A Former Volunteer’s Accusations Against Ryan Wesley Routh

A former volunteer for Ukraine's International Legion has labeled Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect in a second assassination attempt on Donald Trump, as "delusional" and a "liar" over his claims of having recruited volunteers for the Ukrainian organization. Routh, 58, is currently in custody following an incident at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where shots were fired near the former president. According to the FBI, Trump survived what appears to be an assassination attempt.

The Trump campaign confirmed that the former president was safe after the gunfire occurred at his golf club. During a June 2022 interview with The News Pulse Romania, Routh claimed he had recruited volunteers for the International Legion Defense of Ukraine, a unit within Ukraine's Ground Forces. He also told The New York Times in 2023 that he had attempted to recruit Afghan soldiers who had fled the Taliban to join the Ukrainian army.

Russia has used Routh's statements to support the unfounded claim that he might have been hired by Ukraine to target Trump. This comes as the war in Ukraine enters its third year, with Trump having criticized the level of U.S. support and military aid for Kyiv. Former Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, questioned whether Routh could have been hired by the "neo-nazi regime in Kiev" for the attack.

However, the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine denied any connection to Routh, stating that he had "never been part of, associated with, or linked" to the organization in any capacity. Evelyn Aschenbrenner, a U.S. citizen from Detroit, Michigan, who worked with the International Legion from March 2022 to mid-2024, corroborated this claim. She described Routh as "delusional and a liar," noting that she had warned others since June 2024 that he was not affiliated with the Legion or the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Aschenbrenner first became aware of Routh's delusions during an encounter on August 24, 2022, Ukraine's independence day. At the time, there was heightened security due to Russian strikes, and Routh attempted to get a foreigner across the border to join the Legion. Aschenbrenner refused, leading to a tense exchange. She noted that Routh seemed to believe he was helping Ukraine but lacked a realistic understanding of the situation.

Routh's behavior became increasingly problematic when he began sharing personal details of volunteers online, including phone numbers. This led to conflicts with Aschenbrenner, who found his actions disruptive and unprofessional. She described him as being disconnected from reality and driven by a sense of grandeur, believing himself to be the only one capable of helping Ukraine.

In addition to his claims about recruiting volunteers, Routh made several posts on X (formerly Twitter) expressing support for Ukraine. In March 2022, shortly after the full-scale invasion, he wrote: "I AM WILLING TO FLY TO KRAKOW AND GO TO THE BORDER OF UKRAINE TO VOLUNTEER AND FIGHT AND DIE ... Can I be the example We must win." However, his political stance appeared to shift over time, with earlier posts showing a critical view of Trump.

More recently, Routh's posts reflected a strong anti-Russian sentiment, even suggesting he wanted to buy a rocket from Elon Musk to target Vladimir Putin's Black Sea mansion. Despite his claims of involvement with the International Legion, the International Volunteer Center (IVC), a private organization that works to empower volunteers, stated that Routh had no connection to their organization. They emphasized that they were not founded by him and had never interacted with him.

Routh's account on X has been suspended, but previous posts reveal a complex narrative. His claims about recruitment efforts and political motivations have raised questions about his credibility and intentions. As he prepares to appear in a Florida court, the controversy surrounding his alleged connections to Ukraine continues to unfold.