In a sharp escalation of tensions between Washington and Moscow, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Friday that he had ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines, responding to what he called “highly provocative statements” by Russian official Dmitry Medvedev.
“Based on the highly provocative statements,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform,
“I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.”
“Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances,” he added.
The move signals a shift from online sparring to strategic military positioning between two nuclear-armed superpowers, with tensions already heightened by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Why Is Donald Trump Targeting Medvedev?
The immediate trigger appears to be a series of increasingly hostile online exchanges between Trump and Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and former Russian president.
In a Telegram post on Thursday, Medvedev referenced the Cold War-era “Dead Hand” automated nuclear retaliation system, suggesting that the U.S. should tread carefully.
“When you mention the word ‘nuclear’… my eyes light up,” Trump said in a subsequent interview. “We better be careful, because it’s the ultimate threat.”
Trump confirmed the submarines were now “closer to Russia”, adding:
“We always want to be ready. And so I have sent to the region two nuclear submarines. I just want to make sure that his words are only words and nothing more than that.”
Trump did not specify whether the vessels were nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed, nor did he reveal deployment locations—typically classified by the Pentagon.
Trump Labels Medvedev “Failed Former President of Russia”
Earlier in the week, Trump used Truth Social to attack Medvedev, calling Russia’s and India’s economies “dead.” In response, Medvedev accused Trump of “playing the ultimatum game” and warned that the U.S. president should not underestimate Russia’s strength.
On X, Medvedev wrote: “He [Trump] should remember the formidable potential of our country.”
By Thursday, the rhetoric had escalated dramatically.
Trump fired back, calling Medvedev “the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President,” and warned, “He’s entering very dangerous territory!”
Though Medvedev served as Russian president from 2008 to 2012, his current political role is viewed by analysts as more symbolic than influential. Nonetheless, he has become one of the Kremlin’s most provocative voices online, often promoting ultra-nationalist narratives.
Putin Signals More Nuclear Moves Amid Ukraine War
This war of words comes as Russia ramps up its nuclear rhetoric and capabilities. Just hours before Trump’s announcement, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia had begun mass production of its nuclear-capable “Oreshnik” hypersonic missile.
Standing alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin confirmed the weapons would be deployed in Belarus by the end of the year.
“Work is now underway to prepare these positions,” Putin stated. “So, most likely, we will close this issue by the end of the year.”
Putin also repeated Russia’s unchanged demands to end the war in Ukraine: Kyiv must renounce NATO membership and cede disputed territories.
Ukraine Suffers Deadly Strikes as Diplomacy Stalls
Meanwhile, Russia’s offensive continues. A missile and drone attack on Kyiv Thursday killed 31 civilians, including five children, prompting a day of mourning in the capital.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed calls for direct talks with Putin:
“The United States has proposed this. Ukraine has supported it. What is needed is Russia’s readiness,” Zelensky wrote on X.
The U.S. and Russia collectively control over 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons. The U.S. maintains a nuclear triad—land-based missiles, strategic bombers, and nuclear-armed submarines, the latter of which are constantly patrolling global waters.
