Putin drenched in blood with a MILLION now killed & maimed in Ukraine war, Nato chief says in unfathomable milestone

12/13/2024 11:59 AM

A MILLION people have been killed or maimed by Russia's bloodbath war in Ukraine.

Nato chief Mark Rutte said: "Every week, there are over 10,000 killed or wounded on all sides in Ukraine.

"Over 1 million casualties since February 2022."

The figure suggests Ukraine has lost around 300,000 soldiers as Britain estimates Russia's losses are 700,000.

Rutte announced the grim milestone as he warned the 32 national alliance was unprepared for war.

The straight-talking ex-Dutch Prime Minister said: "We are not ready for what is coming our way in four to five years.


"Danger is moving towards us at full speed. 
 We must not look the other way.

"We must face it. What is happening in Ukraine could happen here too."

He said the West faced more danger now than during the Cold War.

And he urged allies to ramp up defence spending to "a lot more than 2 per cent" of GDP – the current Nato target.


He added: "Regardless of the outcome of this war we will not be safe in the future unless we are prepared to deal with danger."

Labour have pledged to increase defence spending but refuse to say when they will reach their target of 2.5 per cent of GDP.

Rutte said spending more was vital to "prevent the next big war" being fought on Nato soil.

He said Putin had cranked up Russian defence spending to 7 or 8 per cent of GDP – the highest level since the cold war.

And Russian actories are churning out "huge numbers of tanks, armoured vehicles, and ammunition".

He warned: "This all points in one clear direction. Russia is preparing for long-term confrontation. With Ukraine and with us."

MONEY TALKS

Since launching into a war with Ukraine, Russian defence spending has jumped to more than six per cent of GDP – more than triple what some Nato members spend.

Faced with a threat to its existence, Ukraine’s spending has skyrocketed to around 37 per cent – more than four times the second highest per cent spending.

Ukraine is not part of Nato, but Zelenksy is adamant that his country should join and has said he will not enter any peace deal without that criteria.