Ukraine’s Former Commander-in-Chief Claims World War 3 Has Begun Due to International Involvement

Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine‘s former Commander-in-Chief and current envoy to the United Kingdom, has made a stark warning that World War 3 has already begun. Speaking at the Ukrainska Pravda UP100 award ceremony, Zaluzhny emphasized that the direct involvement of Russia‘s autocratic allies in the war against Ukraine signifies the start of a global conflict.

Zaluzhny pointed to the participation of soldiers from North Korea and the use of Iranian drones and weapons from China as “unmistakable signs” of the conflict’s broader international dimensions. He stated, “I believe that in 2024 we can absolutely believe that the Third World War has begun. Because in 2024, Ukraine is no longer facing Russia. Soldiers from North Korea are standing in front of Ukraine. Already in Ukraine, the Iranian ‘Shahedis’ are killing civilians absolutely openly, without any shame.”

Zaluzhny’s remarks come amid escalating tensions and military actions. He highlighted the increasing flow of foreign weapons into Ukraine, including those from North Korea and China, and warned that the situation could still be contained within Ukraine’s borders if decisive action is taken by Ukraine’s allies. However, he expressed frustration that “our partners do not want to understand this.”

Zaluzhny’s comments reflect his increasingly bleak outlook on the war, which has been a point of contention with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. His dismissal as military commander in February 2024 was partly due to disagreements over war strategies. Despite this, Zaluzhny maintains that Ukraine can endure with advanced technology but faces uncertainty about winning the battle alone without greater support from its allies.

The ongoing conflict has seen significant escalations, including the Kremlin’s launch of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, dubbed the ‘Oreshnik’, which President Vladimir Putin claimed is beyond the reach of US air defence systems. This move has further heightened tensions and underscored the global repercussions of the war.