If Someone Warns You He’ll Kill You, It’s Safer to Believe Him

It has been suggested that when you’re told that a perpetrator intends to kill you, it’s safer to believe him — especially if he’s repeating his warning or threat.

Earlier this month Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine’s secret service uncovered such a plot. A couple of days later Russian drones hit targets across Ukraine, in Kyiv and the ancient, historic monastery, the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, which enjoys UNESCO recognition. Eleven people were killed. The Lavra was severely damaged as published photos of the blaze testified.

Sadly, Ukraine finds itself in another similar situation.

President Zelenskyy said on Saturday, June 20, that Russian forces are preparing additional colossal deadly attacks on Ukraine and warned residents to take special care. 

“Tonight and in the coming hours, it is especially important to pay close attention to air raid warnings,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. “The Russians have prepared for a massive attack. Please take care of yourselves.”

Russian forces have staged a series of heavy attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks and other major cities. In the days after the strike on the Lavra, Russian cutthroats continued to launch fatal drones on Ukrainian cities increasing the count of casualties.

Zelenskyy pledged that his military would press on with its campaign of medium and long-range strikes, focused on the oil sector. Ukrainian drone pilots have significantly increased their skills and have hit Russian targets even 1,000 kilometers from Ukraine.

Zelenskiy said Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery in Tyumen region in western Siberia on Saturday and Ukrainian drones also struck Moscow's oil refinery twice this week. The strike on Moscow was especially troublesome for Muscovites who reportedly panic at the realization that Ukrainians are attacking their homes.

On Saturday, Russian forces attacked the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia with glide bombs, killing five people and injuring 10, Regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov wrote on Telegram. 

The attacks and casualties continue.

In southern Kherson region, regional Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said one person had died in a drone attack on a village north of the region's main city, also called Kherson. 

Three children were injured when the central city of Poltava came under Russian shelling, local officials said.

Zelenskyy also accused Russia of bringing Belarus into the conflict, warning of “extremely dangerous” consequences. He claimed Belarus has repeaters near the border that help guide Russian drone strikes in Ukraine.

“Belarus has time to dismantle this equipment,” he said.

Zelenskyy added that Belarusian gasoline shipments to Russia increased thirteenfold between January and May compared to the same period last year, while diesel exports tripled. He emphasised that these supplies and Belarusian industrial support strengthen Minsk's position in the conflict.

On Friday, June 19, Zelenskyy warned Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that if alleged Russian drone-support equipment is not removed from Belarusian territory, Ukraine will take action to dismantle it.

"On his territory, along the two regions bordering Ukraine, there is equipment that adjusts (weapons) fire on our people. He should remove that equipment. I think a week is enough for him to do that," Zelenskyy wrote on X.