Last Updated:
A former commander-in-chief of Ukraine, Valery Zaluzhny, claimed that the direct involvement of North Korean troops and Iranian weapons on behalf of Russia was a significant factor in the war’s global expansion
Ukrainian firefighters work on a spot following an air attack, in Dnipro, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Image: AFP)
Pointing at the involvement of Russia’s “autocratic allies”, a former military commander in Ukraine has said World War 3 is well underway. Valery Zaluzhny, who is now serving as an envoy to the United Kingdom, claimed the direct involvement of North Korea and Iran in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“I absolutely believe that in 2024 we can believe that the Third World War has begun,” Zaluzhny said during a speech at the Ukrainska Pravda’s UP100 award ceremony, as per reports.
Zaluzhny said Russia’s autocratic allies are a significant factor in the war’s global expansion. There are reports that Russia has deployed more than 10,000 North Korean troops in the Kursk region and is using Iranian drones in the conflict.
“Soldiers from North Korea are standing in front of Ukraine. Let’s be honest. Already in Ukraine, the Iranian ‘Shahedis’ are killing civilians absolutely openly, without any shame,” he was quoted in a report by NDTV.
He claimed that North Korean troops, as well as Iranian and Chinese weapons were actively contributing to the war. “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. It is obvious that Ukraine already has too many enemies,” he was quoted, urging Ukraine’s allies to take action and prevent the conflict from spreading beyond the country’s borders.
