Kyiv: Former Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces Valery Zaluzhny has declared that the Third World War has already started, citing the involvement of North Korean soldiers and Iranian ‘Shahedis’ in the ongoing conflict with Russia. “Soldiers from North Korea are standing in front of Ukraine,” he said, adding that Iranian drones are “killing civilians absolutely openly” without hesitation, as reported by Politico.
Zaluzhny made these remarks during Ukrainska Pravda’s UP100 award ceremony on Thursday, where he underscored the deepening global dimensions of the Russia-Ukraine war. He emphasized that the direct participation of Russia’s allies—North Korea and Iran—signals a larger-scale conflict. “I believe that in 2024 we can absolutely believe that the Third World War has begun,” Zaluzhny stated.
He further elaborated on the use of weaponry originating from North Korea and China in Ukraine. “Already in Ukraine, the Iranian ‘Shahedis’ are killing civilians absolutely openly, without any shame,” Zaluzhny said. He noted that Ukraine is not merely battling Russia but contending with an expanding alliance of adversaries, making the war increasingly complex.
Ukraine’s Struggle and Global Implications
Zaluzhny stressed that Ukraine’s allies possess the capability to halt the conflict but appear hesitant to act decisively. “It is still possible to stop it here, on the territory of Ukraine. But for some reason, our partners do not want to understand this,” he remarked. “Ukraine already has too many enemies. Ukraine will survive with technology, but it is not clear whether it can win this battle alone.”
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His address painted a grim picture of the war’s trajectory, warning of its global implications if not addressed effectively. According to Politico, Zaluzhny’s blunt assessments reflect his growing frustration with the lack of unified action from Ukraine’s Western allies.
Dismissal Amid Tensions with Zelenskyy
Zaluzhny’s statements echo sentiments he expressed last year, which drew criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At the time, Zaluzhny likened the state of the conflict to a World War I-style stalemate, a perspective that reportedly caused tension between the two leaders.
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In February, Zelenskyy dismissed Zaluzhny amid mounting friction over Ukraine’s counteroffensive strategy. Speculation about Zaluzhny’s firing had circulated for weeks, fueled by his rising popularity, which was seen as a potential threat to Zelenskyy’s political standing. Following his removal, Oleksandr Syrskyi was appointed to lead Ukraine’s armed forces, marking a significant shift in military leadership during the ongoing war.
