Valeriy Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and current Ambassador to the United Kingdom, has declared that the Third World War is underway, following the direct involvement of Russia’s autocratic allies in its war against Ukraine.
Speaking via video link at the UP100 awards ceremony, Zaluzhny made a stark assessment of the global implications of the ongoing conflict.
“I believe that in 2024, we can unequivocally say that the Third World War has begun,” Zaluzhny asserted. “Because, in 2024, Ukraine is no longer facing just Russia. Ukraine is facing soldiers from North Korea. Let’s be honest. Civilians in Ukraine are being openly killed by Iranian Shahed drones without any attempt to hide it.”
Zaluzhny outlined the breadth of international involvement, noting the influx of weapons and resources from nations aligned with Russia. “North Korean-made missiles are now being used in Ukraine, and they openly admit to this. Chinese munitions are detonating on Ukrainian soil, and Russian missiles are equipped with Chinese components.”
This level of direct and overt participation, according to Zaluzhny, marks the threshold for what can now be described as a global conflict.
Zaluzhny emphasised that this escalation is not just Ukraine’s struggle but a pivotal moment for the entire world. “What many anticipated for so long has already begun,” he warned, adding that global leaders must act decisively to contain the war’s spread.
“There is still an opportunity to draw the right conclusions and to stop this war here, on the territory of Ukraine,” he said. “But for some reason, our partners fail to understand this. Ukraine now faces too many enemies. It will survive thanks to technology, but it is unclear whether it can prevail in this battle alone.”
Zaluzhny’s remarks carried an urgent plea to Ukraine’s allies, highlighting that international hesitation risks worsening the situation. “World War III has begun—welcome to it,” he stated, underscoring the need for immediate and unified global action.
The former military leader’s comments come amidst rising evidence of deeper collaboration between Russia and its allies, including Iran, North Korea, and China. Analysts have pointed to the increasing sophistication and diversity of weaponry deployed in Ukraine as an indication of external support. North Korean artillery, Iranian drones, and Chinese technological components have all been identified on the battlefield, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
Zaluzhny’s assertion aligns with growing concerns among military strategists that Ukraine is becoming the focal point of a broader confrontation between democratic nations and authoritarian regimes.
Zaluzhny also suggested that the war’s outcome would have profound implications for the global order. “God is giving not only Ukraine but the whole world a chance,” he said, urging international actors to support Ukraine’s efforts to halt Russian aggression before it spills further into Europe and beyond.
His comments echo earlier warnings from Kyiv that the West’s failure to provide timely and sufficient military assistance could embolden Russia and its allies, setting a dangerous precedent for other conflicts.
