‘World War III has already begun’: Ukraine’s former military chief sounds big warning for the world

In a stark declaration that has sent ripples across the global stage, Valery Zaluzhny, the former head of Ukraine’s military, now acting as the nation’s envoy to the UK, announced that the world has indeed stepped into World War III territory. Speaking at the Ukrainska Pravda’s UP100 ceremony, Zaluzhny highlighted the alarming involvement of North Korean troops in Russia and the use of Iranian weapons on the frontlines., illustrating that the conflict in Ukraine has transcended its regional bounds. “I believe that in 2024 we can absolutely believe that the Third World War has begun,” he said, as reported by Politico.

Presence of International Forces Intensifies the Conflict

Zaluzhny, now Ukraine’s envoy to the UK, pointed to the increased involvement of international forces in Ukraine’s struggle. He highlighted the arrival of over 10,000 North Korean troops and the presence of Iranian weapons, suggesting a coordinated global effort against Kyiv.

“It is obvious that Ukraine already has too many enemies. Ukraine will survive with technology, but it is not clear whether it can win this battle alone,” he stated.

Ukraine’s Counteroffensive and Rising Challenges

The comments come amid a significant escalation in the war. Moscow recently fired a medium-range, hypersonic missile at a facility in Dnipro, marking a sharp increase in the scale and intensity of the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that such missiles could target nations supplying Ukraine with arms, directly addressing countries like the US and UK.

Meanwhile, Russian and North Korean forces, numbering approximately 50,000, have been deployed to the Kursk region. The deployment follows Kyiv’s counteroffensive earlier this year, during which Ukrainian forces recaptured several towns, dealing a blow to Kremlin strategies.

A Call to Action for Ukraine’s Allies

Zaluzhny urged Kyiv’s allies to respond decisively to these developments. His remarks hold weight in Ukraine, given his leadership during the initial Russian invasion in 2022. Despite his removal from the military command earlier this year due to tensions with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Zaluzhny remains a key figure in the country’s strategic and political discourse.“This is a clear and severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war,” Zelensky said of Russia’s recent attacks.

As global players take sides in the conflict, Ukraine’s call for increased international support becomes ever more urgent, with the outcome of this battle potentially shaping the course of history.

Zaluzhny’s warning comes amidst heightened tensions in the region and growing international concern about the conflict’s potential to widen.