Kremlin Vows Retaliation Over Drone and Train Attacks, Rejects Talks with “Terrorist” Ukraine Regime

by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – The Kremlin declared Thursday that Russia will retaliate for a string of Ukrainian attacks–most notably a deadly explosion targeting a passenger train in Bryansk–at a time of its own choosing, firmly rejecting Ukraine’s offer of a summit and ceasefire. Russian President Vladimir Putin has labeled Ukraine’s leadership a “terrorist regime” and vowed that the response will be decisive.

“The president described the Kyiv regime as a terrorist regime, because it was the regime’s leadership that consciously gave the order to blow up a passenger train,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, referring to the Sunday derailment that killed at least seven civilians and injured dozens more after explosives detonated on tracks and a key railway bridge collapsed.

The statement marked Putin’s first public remarks since the attack, which came in tandem with a widespread Ukrainian drone operation dubbed “Operation Spider’s Web.” According to Russian sources, the drone assault reached deep into Russian territory–including strikes near strategic airbases and industrial hubs.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who spoke with Putin for over an hour on Wednesday, confirmed via Truth Social that the Russian leader was adamant about a retaliatory response. “President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields,” Trump said.

Security alerts have since intensified. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv issued new warnings to American citizens in Ukraine, urging them to prepare for possible massive aerial strikes. A NATO official told The Moscow Times that “significant retaliation is coming,” predicting that Russia may target major Ukrainian command centers and cities like Kyiv and Odessa in a possible “shock and awe” campaign.

The Kremlin’s rejection of a summit and ceasefire comes after months of stalemated frontline movement and failed negotiations. Tens of thousands have perished in the grinding three-year conflict, with neither side making significant territorial gains in recent months.

In the broader geopolitical context, the Trump-Putin call also touched on Iran. Trump said that both leaders agreed that “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” and hinted that Putin might assist in bringing Tehran back to the negotiating table. Russia and Iran have deepened their military alliance since 2024, with Iran reportedly supplying ballistic missiles in exchange for advanced Russian fighter jets.

As regional tensions surge, analysts warn that the latest attacks and Russia’s vowed response could mark a turning point–possibly triggering the most intense phase of the war since its start.

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