Rutte: Russia is losing more people in a month than the Soviet Union in 10 years in Afghanistan

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte today warned young Russians that they are likely to be killed if they join Russia's war in Ukraine.

"Men like you who join the war will not be trained. The equipment you will be given is substandard. There is a very high probability that you will be killed or injured," Rutte said during a press conference in Kiev, addressing "young Russians and their families" directly.

"And it's very likely that, if you get injured, you'll be left suffering in the mud and dying," he added.

The head of the military alliance said that Russia is suffering "absolutely shocking" losses in Ukraine, where, according to him, over 30 Russian soldiers are killed every month, repeating figures he has mentioned before.

"This means more losses in one month than the Soviet Union suffered during the ten years of war in Afghanistan in the 80s," the NATO chief said, adding that "this is not something abstract. It is very likely to be you."

Russia, which officially describes the conflict as a "special military operation" and promises recruits high salaries, has long claimed that NATO's eastward expansion and the possibility of Ukraine joining the Alliance pose an existential threat to its security.

The GeoPost

NATO's Rutte to young Russian men:

You are being sold a raw deal.

Men like you who join the fight, you won't be trained.

The equipment they'll provide you is substandard.

There is a very high chance you'll die or be wounded while you're out there.

And odds are that if you… pic.twitter.com/NssYgtAHf5

- Clash Report (@clashreport) June 3, 2026