Mark Milley says Russia has LOST the war: Chairman of Joint Chiefs claims Putin has been defeated 'strategically, operationally and tactically' and is now a 'global pariah'

  • Speaking in Brussels, Milley said Putin 'thought he could defeat Ukraine quickly, fracture the NATO alliance, and act with impunity. He was wrong.' 
  • Ukraine is preparing for new Russian push as one-year anniversary approaches
  • The US. has provided artillery, ammunition, air defenses, and armored vehicles to Ukraine, with Abrams M1A2 tanks on the way

Russia has already 'lost' the war in Ukraine as the one-year anniversary of its brutal invasion approaches, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley said in Brussels Tuesday.

Milley spoke amid warnings of a renewed Russian offensive, with allies seeking to rush modern weapons and ammunition to Ukrainian forces – who have been battling Russian forces who have been slowly gaining ground around Bakhmut in the eastern Donbas region.

'Russia is now a global pariah and the world remains inspired by Ukrainian bravery and resilience. In short, Russia has lost — they've lost strategically, operationally, and tactically,' said Milley.

Russia has 'lost strategically, operationally, and tactically,' said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley in Brussels, as the one-year anniversary of Russia's brutal invasion approaches

Russia has 'lost strategically, operationally, and tactically,' said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley in Brussels, as the one-year anniversary of Russia's brutal invasion approaches

He said Russian President Vladimir Putin 'thought he could defeat Ukraine quickly, fracture the NATO alliance, and act with impunity. He was wrong.' 

'Ukraine remains free, they remain independent. NATO and this coalition has never been stronger,' he said. 

The U.S. and NATO allies have rushed billions in military aide to Ukraine, and long-neutral Finland applied for NATO membership following Russia's invasion of its neighbor.

Milley said Russia has paid an 'enormous price on the battlefield' for its invasion.

Last month he said Russia had lost 'significantly well over' 100,000 troops.

The losses have continued after Putin's conscription order, with the private Wagner Group doing significant fighting around Bakhmut, after recruit fighters from Russian prisons.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week vowed to 'fight as long as we can' to defend Bakhmut, which he called 'fortress.'  

'Putin could end this war today,' said Milley, pointing to casualties on both sides.

The US. has provided artillery, ammunition, air defenses, and armored vehicles to Ukraine, along with intelligence support, with Abrams M1A2 tanks on the way, although that process could take months.

'This is a very, very bloody war, and there's significant casualties on both sides,' he said. 

Putin 'thought he could defeat Ukraine quickly ... He was wrong,' said Milley

Putin 'thought he could defeat Ukraine quickly ... He was wrong,' said Milley

Milley and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with the NATO Council of Defense Ministers at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Allies are trying to stay unified as the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion approaches

Milley and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with the NATO Council of Defense Ministers at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Allies are trying to stay unified as the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion approaches

Ukrainian servicemen jump out of a military truck on a road outside the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine February 13, 2023. REUTERS/Yevhenii Zavhorodnii

Ukrainian servicemen jump out of a military truck on a road outside the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine February 13, 2023. REUTERS/Yevhenii Zavhorodnii

The U.S. and allies are delivering heavy weaponry including tanks to Ukraine

The U.S. and allies are delivering heavy weaponry including tanks to Ukraine

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.