Nate Vance: A Volunteer Fighter in Ukraine
Nate Vance, a relative of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, has made headlines for his three-year stint as a volunteer fighter in the Ukrainian military. According to an interview with the French media outlet Le Figaro, Nate Vance spent two and a half years on the front lines fighting against Russian forces. JD and Nate Vance are cousins; JD’s mother, Beverly, is the sister of Nate’s father, James Vance. The two families have occasionally spent vacations together in Middletown or California, where Nate’s family resides.
From the U.S. Marines to Ukraine
Le Figaro reports that Nate Vance served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps before working for an oil company in Texas. His journey to Ukraine began in March 2022, driven by a desire to witness “history in the making.” In Ukraine, he met a British volunteer who encouraged him to join the Ukrainian military. By June 2022, Vance was deployed to the Donbas region, fighting alongside the “Da Vinci Wolves,” a battalion led by Dmytro “Da Vinci” Kotsiubailo, a member of the Ukrainian Right Sector. Kotsiubailo was killed in the battle for Bakhmut in 2023. Vance participated in some of the war’s most brutal battles, including those in Kupiansk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Pokrovsk.
A Family Divided by Politics
Nate Vance has expressed disappointment and frustration with his cousin JD Vance’s rhetoric, which has been critical of U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Nate described JD and former U.S. President Donald Trump as “useful idiots” for Russian President Vladimir Putin. “JD is a good guy and smart. When he criticized the aid to Ukraine, I thought he was just appealing to a specific voter base, playing a political game,” Nate said. “But what they did to Zelensky, it was an ambush of completely bad faith.”
Nate was referring to a heated exchange between JD Vance, Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in late February. JD Vance harshly criticized Zelensky, accusing him of ingratitude and disrespect towards the United States. “I was disappointed,” Nate said. “When JD justified his skepticism towards Zelensky by citing ‘news’ he had seen, I was shocked. His own cousin was on the front lines. I could have told him the truth, without pretense or personal gain. He never sought more information.”
Returning Home
Nate Vance returned to the United States in January 2025 after being relieved from service. The situation in Ukraine had become too complex and dangerous, with the risk of being captured looming large. His experience in Ukraine raises questions about the impact of personal experiences on political beliefs and the complexities of navigating family relationships amidst differing political views.
Analysis: The Intersection of War and Politics
Nate Vance’s story underscores the complex intersection of personal experiences and political beliefs. His firsthand experience in Ukraine contrasts starkly with JD Vance’s political stance, highlighting a broader debate in U.S. politics about the country’s role in international conflicts.
The situation also reflects the challenges faced by policymakers in balancing national interests with ethical considerations. The Vance family’s divide is emblematic of a larger national conversation about foreign aid, military intervention, and the United States’ responsibility on the global stage.
Nate’s criticism of his cousin and former President Trump highlights the tension between personal convictions and political strategy. It raises questions about how political figures reconcile personal relationships with their public roles and the influence of personal experiences on political decisions.
In conclusion, Nate Vance’s journey from the U.S. Marines to the Ukrainian front lines offers a unique perspective on the ongoing conflict and the broader implications for international relations and domestic politics. His story serves as a reminder of the human element in geopolitical conflicts and the personal stakes involved in political decisions.