### Putin Vows Retaliation Against Ukraine for Strikes on Russian Bombers, Says Trump

President Trump has divulged that Russian President Vladimir V. Putin plans to respond to Ukraine's recent drone strikes on Russian bomber bases. This revelation comes amid escalating conflict between the two nations, though both sides are still engaged in negotiations.

According to Russian state media, the intensified drone assaults by Russia have seen over 1,000 drones targeting military and civilian sites in Ukraine weekly. These assaults reached a peak with over 300 drones deployed in a single night last week. In a daring counterstrike, Ukraine recently executed a drone attack on Russian strategic bomber bases on Sunday.

In a conversation lasting more than an hour on Wednesday, President Trump learned of Putin's intent to retaliate. Trump shared this update in a social media statement, noting that Putin emphatically declared the necessity of a response to Ukraine's audacious strikes.

Despite ongoing negotiations at President Trump's behest, Putin and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky continue to exchange accusations. Each leader blames the other for the breakdown of peace efforts, citing escalating attacks.

Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy aide to the Kremlin, briefed media on the call but did not confirm whether Putin detailed his retaliatory plans. Ushakov labeled Ukraine's recent actions, including attacks on railroads over the weekend, as "terrorist." This assertion comes even as Russia's own escalation—comprising regular bombardments on Ukrainian cities—continues unabated since its full-scale invasion in 2022.