A chilling warning has been given by Ukraine’s former armed forces commander, telling the West that a “World War 3” against Vladimir Putin has already begun. Valeriy Zaluzhny, 51, commanded Ukrainian troops when they halted Putin’s army as it intended to storm Kyiv in three days.
For many months he held back Russian troops along a vast frontline, but failed with a 2023 “summer offensive”. He now tells the West that the only way to save itself is by fully backing Ukraine now, a different vision to that of incoming US president Donald Trump who wants to broker a deal between the warring parties involving Kyiv making territorial concessions to Russia.
Zaluzhny – now Ukraine’s ambassador to London – was asked at a Ukrainian Pravda awards ceremony if it was possible to avoid WW3. “Probably, you will not like my answer,” he said.
READ MORE: Storm Bert claims first victim as man dies as car ‘spins off road’ in deadly conditions
READ MORE: Homebase puts 74 stores up for sale as your local branch may be on the list
Click for more of the latest news from across the world from the Daily Star.
“But I am a purely human being who knows military science and military history. I believe that in 2024 we can absolutely definitely consider that the Third World War has begun,” he said in a speech to a Ukrainian Pravda awards ceremony.
Ukraine no longer faces only Russia, he said. “In front of Ukraine are soldiers from North Korea. Let’s be honest — Iranian ‘Shaheds’ [kamikaze drones] are already killing civilians in Ukraine quite openly, without any shyness.
“North Korean-made missiles are already flying into Ukraine, and they openly declare this. Kim Jong Un troops numbering some 10,000-pls are believed to be engaged against Ukraine’s forces in Russia’s Kursk region. Chinese shells are detonated in Ukraine. Chinese parts are used in Russian missiles.” Most military experts believe WW3 has started, said Zaluzhny.
“What has been expected for so long, it has already begun,” he said. “But I want to say that God himself gives a chance, not only to Ukraine, but also to the whole world, so that now we still have time to reach the right conclusions.
“Everything can still be stopped here, on the territory of Ukraine. But for some reason our [Western] partners do not want to understand this. It is obvious that Ukraine already has too many enemies. Ukraine will survive at the expense of technology, but it is unknown whether it will be able to win this battle on its own.”
Yet he was optimistic the West would rally to Ukraine, even as the next presidency of Donald Trump comes into view in January. “I believe that [regarding the start of] the World War, welcome – it has begun,” said Zaluzhny.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.