Washington, D.C. – August 2, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of two nuclear-powered submarines in response to recent threats from Russian official Dmitry Medvedev, escalating tensions between Washington and Moscow amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Friday, Trump confirmed the move, describing it as a “deterrent” to what he called “highly provocative statements” from Medvedev, Russia’s former president and current deputy chairman of its Security Council.
“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,” Trump wrote.
The president added, “Words are very important and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances.”
Nuclear Threats and Escalation
The move follows remarks by Medvedev earlier this week in which he referenced Russia’s Cold War-era automatic nuclear retaliation system, known as the “Dead Hand,” in a thinly veiled warning to the U.S.
The back-and-forth comes amid heightened rhetoric between the two countries over the war in Ukraine. Earlier this month, Trump issued a 10-day ultimatum to Russia to halt its military offensive or face expanded U.S. sanctions. Medvedev dismissed the warning as “theatrical” and accused Trump of “playing the ultimatum game.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Medvedev warned:
“Russia isn’t Israel or Iran. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step toward war — not with Ukraine, but with his own country.”
Shifting Tone on Russia
Trump, who once positioned himself as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, has adopted a firmer stance in recent months. He has publicly condemned Russian military actions as “disgusting” and expressed frustration over failed diplomatic efforts.
Despite previous remarks suggesting openness to territorial concessions in Ukraine, the president now faces growing pressure to take a stronger line on Russian aggression.
His decision to reposition strategic assets is being viewed by analysts as a symbolic show of force intended to reaffirm American deterrence, though no formal statements have been issued by the Pentagon or Russia’s Ministry of Defence.
Strategic and Political Implications
While there is no immediate indication of a direct military confrontation, experts have warned that public posturing and nuclear rhetoric increase the risk of miscalculation.
Medvedev’s mention of the “Dead Hand” system — designed to ensure automatic nuclear retaliation in the event of a decapitation strike on Moscow — has been widely interpreted as a serious escalation, even if largely rhetorical.
President Trump’s decision underscores the fragile state of U.S.-Russia relations and the continued volatility surrounding the conflict in Ukraine, now entering its third year with no diplomatic resolution in sight.
Background
Dmitry Medvedev, who served as Russia’s president from 2008 to 2012, has been a vocal supporter of the Kremlin’s military campaign and a key figure in shaping Moscow’s hardline stance against the West.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Despite multiple rounds of international sanctions and efforts at diplomacy, the conflict has persisted, with significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage across Ukraine.
