Mike Pence Says Ukraine Has Held Russia to Stalemate, Urges More Air Defence Support

Kyiv, August 24, 2026; Former US Vice-President Mike Pence has said Ukraine continues to withstand Russia’s military pressure and has managed to prevent Russian forces from achieving a decisive breakthrough on the battlefield.

Speaking to CNN after visiting Ukraine and meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Pence described the situation as a demonstration of Ukraine’s continued military resilience. He said Ukrainian troops had effectively contained Russian advances while adapting rapidly to new methods of warfare.

Pence, who travelled to Ukraine for a national prayer breakfast marking 35 years since the country’s independence, said he observed strong determination among Ukrainian leaders, soldiers and civilians despite ongoing Russian attacks.

He also highlighted Ukraine’s growing use of unmanned aerial systems, saying the country has significantly influenced how drones are being employed in contemporary warfare. Ukrainian forces have used drones for operations against targets inside Russia and against maritime assets in the Black Sea.

His comments came amid renewed Russian strikes that, according to CNN, killed at least 16 people and left more than 100 injured. Pence warned that Moscow could intensify attacks on critical infrastructure as winter approaches, particularly targeting Ukraine’s energy network.

The former US Vice-President said Ukraine has demonstrated an ability to counter large numbers of drones but requires additional advanced interceptor systems to defend against ballistic missiles.

Pence also pointed to a wider shortage of Patriot missile interceptors, saying military operations involving Iran had placed additional pressure on global supplies. He suggested that South Korea could potentially assist the United States and its European partners by making advanced interceptor capabilities available.

Pence rejected the view that Ukraine was being sidelined because of US military priorities elsewhere, saying he did not believe Ukrainian officials saw the situation in those terms.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, following its 2014 occupation and annexation of Crimea. The war has continued to rely heavily on Western military, economic and financial assistance to Ukraine.