Trump orders deployment of nuclear submarines after ex-Russian president’s remarks

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that he directed two nuclear submarines to be deployed to unspecified locations in response to what he described as “highly provocative” remarks from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Trump said the move was precautionary: “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.”

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The exact whereabouts or mission objectives of the submarines were not disclosed.

Medvedev’s comments came after Trump issued a stern warning to Moscow, demanding a ceasefire in Ukraine or risk severe sanctions.

According to the BBC, Medvedev, who now serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, responded with hostile rhetoric, escalating tensions between the two nuclear powers.

Although Trump referred to “nuclear submarines” in his Truth Social post, he did not specify whether he meant vessels powered by nuclear energy or those equipped with nuclear weaponry.

“Based on the highly provocative statements of the former president of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions,” Trump wrote.

The two men have recently exchanged personal jabs on social media. Medvedev on Monday accused Trump of engaging in dangerous brinkmanship: “the ultimatum game with Russia.” Posting on X, he added, “each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war.”

Earlier in the month, Medvedev dismissed Trump’s ultimatum as “theatrical,” claiming that “Russia didn’t care.”

Then on Thursday, in a Telegram message, Medvedev issued a chilling warning, invoking the term “dead hand”—a reference widely interpreted by analysts as alluding to Russia’s automatic nuclear retaliation system.

Trump, also on Thursday, fired back by calling Medvedev “the failed former president of Russia, who thinks he’s still president” and cautioned him to “watch his words,” warning he was “entering very dangerous territory!”

When contacted, the White House told the BBC they had no additional comment on Trump’s remarks. The Kremlin has also remained silent on the issue.