Donald J. Trump sparked global alarm after posting on his Truth Social network that he has ordered the deployment of two American nuclear submarines in “appropriate regions,” in direct response to statements made by Russian politician Dmitry Medvedev, who currently serves as Vice President of the Security Council of Russia.
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"I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the corresponding regions, in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just words," wrote Trump.
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The reactions were not long in coming, as this type of movements imply an unusual rhetorical and military escalation for an actor who, although outside the government, maintains great international influence.
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What triggered the nuclear warning?
Trump’s response came after a series of statements made by Medvedev, who not only dismissed a previous ultimatum from Trump regarding the war in Ukraine, but also alluded to the “Dead Hand,” an automated nuclear system from the Soviet era that would launch atomic missiles in the event of a massive attack on Russia.
“Every ultimatum is a step towards war. Do not go down the path of Sleepy Joe,” wrote Medvedev on X (formerly Twitter).
On Telegram, the Russian politician concluded with a message that was interpreted as a direct provocation:
This exchange of messages, between two high-profile figures, raised the level of geopolitical tension, especially due to the use of terms such as “nuclear”, “submarines”, and “retaliation”.
Background context: Trump, Russia, and the war
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Medvedev has adopted an increasingly belligerent and apocalyptic tone. Trump, on the other hand, has been criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict for years, repeatedly describing the war as “unnecessary”.
Hours before ordering the deployment of submarines, Trump published another statement in which he reported that, according to his sources, more than 20,000 Russian soldiers had died in July 2025 alone, and that the total casualties since January would exceed 112,500 Russian military personnel. He also acknowledged that Ukraine has lost 8,000 soldiers in the same period.
What does moving nuclear submarines mean?
The U.S. nuclear submarines, known for their ability to launch ballistic missiles from the ocean, are a key deterrent tool in the American arsenal. Although Trump did not specify their location, international media such as Reuters and Sky News report that they could be in the North Atlantic and the Sea of Norway, near strategic areas of interest to Russia.
This type of movements are usually carried out with complete discretion when under official command, so the fact that Trump made them public raises doubts both tactically and politically.