Trump Moves Nuclear Submarines As Warning To Russia

On Friday, President Donald Trump made a rare and alarming statement, revealing that he had directed two nuclear submarines to take up strategic positions in regions within reach of Russia. This move, he said, was in direct response to what he described as “highly provocative” remarks from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev regarding Moscow’s nuclear strength.

This is the first time Trump has openly made a military move to warn Russia since returning to the White House. Tensions between the US and Russia have risen this week as Trump and Medvedev exchanged sharp warnings. Medvedev is currently the deputy chairman of the security council of the Russian Federation. It's important to note that Medvedev and Vladimir Putin have long been allies. While Medvedev was president from 2008 to 2012, Putin served as his prime minister. The roles were then reversed, with Medvedev becoming prime minister under Putin from 2012 to 2020.

Just two weeks after giving Moscow a 50-day deadline, Trump has recently reduced that timeframe, demanding Russia agree to a peace deal with Ukraine or face tough new economic sanctions. Dmitry Medvedev reacted to Trump's shorter timeline by warning that the action was a step on the path to war. Medvedev, who led Russia from 2008 to 2012, accused Trump of trying to corner Moscow with threats. Earlier in July, he called Trump's ultimatum a theatrical display, stating that Russia was unconcerned.

Medvedev also warned Trump to remember "how dangerous the fabled 'Dead Hand' can be," referring to a top-secret, semi-automated, Soviet-era system designed to launch Russia's nuclear missiles even if its leadership were wiped out. On Truth Social, Trump explained that he was taking action because he was concerned that the provocative statements from Medvedev might be more than just words. Trump also criticised Medvedev, calling him a "failed former president" and telling him to "watch his words."

Russia and the US have the largest nuclear arsenals in the world, and both maintain fleets of nuclear submarines. Both the US Navy and the Pentagon stayed silent on Trump’s comments, refusing to confirm whether any submarines had actually been repositioned. The military almost never discloses the movements or whereabouts of its submarines, largely due to the secretive and critical role they play in maintaining nuclear deterrence. The Moscow stock market experienced a significant decline after Trump's statements. Security experts reportedly warned that any discussion by a U.S. president about possible nuclear military capabilities naturally raises serious concerns.