General Valerij Zaluzhny warns that the conflict in Ukraine is taking on the contours of a Third World War. According to a report in the Financial Times, Russia has recruited hundreds of Houthi fighters, supported by Iran, to participate in the war. In return, Moscow would offer high salaries and Russian citizenship, cementing ties with Tehran, which already supplies drones and advanced weapons.

This is in addition to the direct involvement of North Korea, which reportedly sent soldiers to support Russian forces. According to unconfirmed sources, up to 500 North Korean soldiers were killed in Ukrainian attacks with British Storm Shadow missiles. The deployment of these forces, together with the use of Chinese components in Russian missiles, highlights how the conflict is now a patchwork of international alliances.

Zaluzhny, former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, is known for his military strategy that stopped the Russian advance on Kiev in 2022. Despite being removed from his post and sent as ambassador to London, he remains a central figure for Ukraine and enjoys a popular consensus of more than 80%. His analysis of the conflict is lucid: ‘Russia involves global allies, forcing us to become more and more dependent on the West. This is already a world war‘.

The general urges Europe not to underestimate the signs: ‘Europe is not ready for a prolonged attack by Russia. We need a quick reaction, because this war does not only concern Ukraine, but the security of the whole world‘.