Speaking to graduating cadets at the United States Military Academy, General Mark Milley forewarned of death tolls for US soldiers in the tens of thousands.

Milley identified Russia and China as the growing powers America will face in the next generation. "We are facing right now two global powers, China and Russia," he said. "As we are entering a world that is becoming more unstable. The world you are being commissioned into has the potential for significant international conflict between great powers, and that potential is increasing, not decreasing."

During the commencement speech, he noted the importance of America confronting Russia in Ukraine. "Yet again in Ukraine, we are learning the lesson that aggression left unanswered only emboldens the aggressor," the general said.