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Cousin of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance Fights for Ukraine as Part of the ‘Da Vinci Wolves’

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In a compelling story of bravery and family tension, Nate Vance, the cousin of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, left his life in Texas to fight for Ukraine as part of the volunteer battalion “Da Vinci Wolves.” His story, as shared with Le Figaro, reveals not only his incredible journey on the front lines but also the deep personal rift that has emerged between him and his political relative.

Nate Vance, a former U.S. Marine Corps veteran, spent four years serving in the military before settling into civilian life in Texas and working in the oil industry. But when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine escalated in early 2022, Vance felt a call to action. By March of that year, he had traveled to Lviv, Ukraine, to lend his support, witnessing firsthand what he described as “history being made.”

It was in Lviv that Vance met a British volunteer who was recruiting foreign soldiers for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Inspired by his sense of duty, Vance enlisted, and by June, he was deployed to the eastern front in Donbas.

His service, however, quickly made an impression on those around him. Dmytro, one of Vance’s comrades, recalled a moment during training when Vance’s skills left everyone stunned. “He was older than us,” Dmytro said. “We went to the shooting range, and he took an AK without a scope, set a target 800 meters away. Everyone laughed at him. But when he hit the target five times in a row, the laughter stopped.”

Vance served with distinction in the ‘Honor’ company of the Ukrainian forces, where his bravery and calm demeanor in battle stood out. “He was an incredible fighter with a calm demeanor,” said Serhii Filimonov, another member of the company. “We should have died 15 times—15 times we were lucky to survive.”

After nearly three years of service, Nate Vance left the military in January 2025, but his commitment to Ukraine remains unwavering. However, his relationship with his cousin, J.D. Vance, the U.S. Vice President, has been strained over the issue of Ukraine. Nate expressed disappointment in his cousin’s political stance, particularly regarding the U.S. support for Ukraine.

Despite his admiration for J.D. Vance’s intelligence and character, Nate criticized his cousin’s rhetoric surrounding Ukraine, especially his comments on limiting U.S. aid. “When he criticized aid to Ukraine, I thought it was just about appealing to his electorate, part of the political game,” said Nate. “But what they did to Zelensky was an ambush with absolute dishonesty. Being relatives doesn’t mean I’ll accept that you’re enabling the killing of my comrades.”

The story of Nate Vance is one of courage, sacrifice, and familial discord, shedding light on the personal struggles that often accompany global conflicts. His journey serves as a reminder of the deep, personal stakes for those who fight on the front lines, as well as the complex relationships that can be shaped by political differences.