Since start of full-scale war in Ukraine, both sides’ losses have exceeded 1 million people - Rutte

He said this in his speech on December 12 in Brussels.

According to the NATO Secretary General, the war in Ukraine leads to new destruction and deaths every day.

“Every week, more than 10,000 (people - ed.) are killed and wounded on both sides in Ukraine. Over a million casualties since February 2022. Putin is trying to wipe Ukraine off the map,” Rutte said.

According to him, Russia's losses have reached 700,000 people.

“The situation at the front is changing slowly and at a very high cost to the Russians. They have already lost 700 thousand people killed and wounded. This month is a record month for Russian losses,” the NATO chief said.

Rutte noted that the pattern of Russian aggression is not new, but NATO allies have been taking too long to respond.

• According to the General Staff, as of the morning of December 12, Russia has lost 758,730 servicemen during the full-scale war in Ukraine.