Trump deploys U.S. nuclear subs as war of words with Russia escalates

U.S. After a senior Russian official posted online about Russia’s nuclear capabilities and a “step towards war” with the United States, President Donald Trump said on Friday that he would send two nuclear submarines to “the appropriate regions.” One of the most outspoken critics of the United States and Ukraine’s western allies, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev currently serves as deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, and Trump’s order sharply escalated their social media battle. Trump wrote on his Truth Social website, “I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inappropriate statements are more than just that.” I sincerely hope that this will not be one of those instances because words are very important and frequently result in unintended consequences. After Trump said on Monday that Russia had “10 days from today” to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face tariffs, Medvedev and Trump have been arguing all week. The deadline was shortened from 50 days. On the same day, Medvedev wrote on X that Trump was engaging in “a game of ultimatums” and that “each new ultimatum is a step towards war.” Medvedev continued, “Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country.” On Thursday morning, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Medvedev ought to “watch his words” and was “entering very dangerous territory!” Medvedev stated on Thursday that Trump’s statement demonstrated that Russia ought to maintain its current policies, including those in Ukraine. Medvedev wrote in a Telegram post, “If some words from the former president of Russia trigger such a nervous reaction from the high and powerful president of the United States, then Russia is doing everything right and will continue to proceed along its own path.” “How dangerous the fabled ‘Dead Hand’ can be,” he added, referring to a secretive semi-automated Russian command system that was designed to launch Moscow’s nuclear missiles if its leadership were killed in a decapitating strike. Trump should keep this in mind, he said. Medvedev added a crying, laughing emoji to the end of his post.