US Elected Official Christopher Helali Joins Russian Military Fighting in Ukraine

Key Points:

• Christopher Helali, an Iranian-American and elected high bailiff of Orange County, Vermont, has joined the Russian Akhmat special forces linked to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, actively supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine.
• Helali has a history of political ties with North Korea and Iran, served in the US military, ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a communist candidate, and has openly promoted Kremlin narratives on social media since relocating to Moscow in 2025.
• Despite holding a US public office, Helali moved to Russia citing oppression in the US, traveled to Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, requested Russian citizenship, and officially enlisted in the Akhmat unit in October 2026.
• Vermont law does not require the high bailiff to reside in the state, allowing Helali to remain in office until February 2027, though his ability to perform his duties is uncertain due to his military service and possible US government travel restrictions.
• Helali’s enlistment raises ethical and legal concerns about an elected US official serving in a foreign military engaged in an illegal war, while local Vermont authorities have not yet taken action to remove him from office.