In a stark and alarming statement that has reverberated across diplomatic circles, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top military commanders has declared that World War III is already underway — not as a hypothetical future scenario, but as a grim and present reality.
General Viktor Surovikin, a veteran of multiple Russian military campaigns and once dubbed “General Armageddon” for his uncompromising approach in Syria and Ukraine, made the declaration during a broadcast on Russian state television late Sunday night.
“The third world war is not on the horizon — it is upon us,” Surovikin said. “We are not waiting for it. We are living it. The West has dragged the world into a global confrontation against Russia, China, Iran, and others who refuse to bow.”
Context of the Statement
General Surovikin’s comments come in the wake of rapidly escalating global tensions, particularly in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Russia has grown increasingly vocal in recent weeks as NATO expands its support for Ukraine, while fresh conflict has erupted in the Middle East between Israel and Iran, drawing in Western allies and threatening regional stability.
According to Surovikin, these flashpoints are not isolated incidents but interconnected pieces of a broader geopolitical struggle.
“When NATO arms Ukraine, when American missiles hit Russian interests, when British and French warships crowd our waters, and when Israel strikes Iran with impunity, these are not regional skirmishes. This is a unified front. A new axis of Western aggression,” he said.
Western analysts have dismissed such language as dangerous posturing, but others have noted that the rhetoric is strikingly more aggressive than usual, even by Russian standards.
Strategic Messaging or Genuine Warning?
Some experts believe the declaration is less a factual assessment and more of a psychological weapon intended to galvanize support domestically and sow fear abroad.
Dr. Emily Hart, a senior fellow in geopolitics at the International Crisis Observatory, commented:
“This is classic Kremlin strategy — narrative escalation. By framing today’s conflicts as a full-blown world war, Russia hopes to legitimize its actions, justify further mobilization, and possibly deter further Western intervention. It’s both propaganda and psychological warfare.”
However, others warn that such rhetoric can create its own momentum, encouraging more aggressive behavior by states convinced that diplomacy has already failed.
Global Reactions
The response from global capitals has been swift and cautious. In Washington, National Security Advisor Elena Ortiz called the general’s remarks “deeply irresponsible,” adding:
“There is no world war underway. There is a coalition of nations supporting Ukraine’s right to defend itself, and efforts in the Middle East to avoid regional spillover from the Iran-Israel crisis. But we are committed to de-escalation and dialogue.”
In London, Prime Minister Rachel Steele held an emergency cabinet meeting and warned of “the most dangerous convergence of global instability since the Cold War.”
China’s Foreign Ministry, notably aligned with Russia in recent years, issued a carefully worded statement calling for “respect for sovereign security” while urging all parties “to avoid further global deterioration.”
Russian Internal Developments
Back in Russia, the general’s remarks appear to reflect growing momentum behind what some call the “Fortress Russia” doctrine — the belief that the country must isolate itself from a hostile West and prepare for prolonged confrontation.
In recent weeks, Moscow has reintroduced military conscription across multiple age brackets, accelerated weapons manufacturing, and launched drills involving nuclear-capable submarines in the Arctic and Pacific regions.
The Duma, Russia’s parliament, is also reportedly debating emergency wartime legislation that would enable national industries to be temporarily militarized — a move not seen since the Soviet era.
Independent Russian journalist Anna Mirova, speaking from exile in Georgia, described a chilling atmosphere inside the country.
“People are afraid, but they are also being prepared to live in a state of permanent war,” she said. “Propaganda speaks of NATO troops on the doorstep and betrayal everywhere. They are being conditioned to accept a siege mentality.”
A Fragile World Order
As of mid-June 2025, the world teeters on a precipice. The war in Ukraine, now in its third year, has become a grinding stalemate. The Iran-Israel conflict threatens to spiral into a broader Sunni-Shia proxy war. Taiwan remains a flashpoint in the Indo-Pacific.
Against this volatile backdrop, the declaration of a Russian general that World War III has already begun is more than rhetorical bombast — it is a signal of a world in profound crisis.
NATO officials, while downplaying the statement, are not ignoring it. Joint military exercises in Eastern Europe have been extended, and the Pentagon has ordered increased readiness levels for U.S. bases across Europe and the Middle East.
Hope Amidst Tension
Despite the bleak outlook, diplomats and analysts emphasize that a world war — in the classical sense — is still avoidable.
Dr. Hart remains cautiously optimistic:
“We must resist apocalyptic language. History shows that even in times of high tension, diplomacy can prevail. But it requires courage, creativity, and leadership on all sides. What we cannot afford is complacency.”
As the world watches and waits, the chilling words of General Surovikin echo like a warning bell across the geopolitical landscape. Whether prophecy or provocation, they force a pressing question upon us all: Are we sleepwalking into catastrophe, or are we still capable of stepping back from the edge?
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