Trump Orders Nuclear Submarine Deployment Amid Escalating War of Words with Russia

Former US President issues sharp warning to Moscow, heightening nuclear tensions after online spat with Russian official over Ukraine war and sanctions.

In a dramatic escalation of tensions with Russia, former US President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines on Friday, marking a rare and serious shift from an online exchange to military posturing. The move came after days of increasingly hostile rhetoric between Trump and Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, over the war in Ukraine and economic sanctions.

Trump, using his Truth Social platform, announced that he had directed the positioning of nuclear submarines in response to what he called “highly provocative statements” by Medvedev. “Words are very important and can often lead to unintended consequences,” Trump warned, adding, “I hope this will not be one of those instances.” The 79-year-old Republican, however, did not specify whether he referred to nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed submarines, nor did he disclose the exact locations of the deployments.

Later that evening, in an interview with Newsmax, Trump provided further context, stating that the submarines had been moved “closer to Russia.” Emphasizing the need for readiness, he remarked, “We always want to be ready. And so I have sent to the region two nuclear submarines. I just want to make sure that his words are only words and nothing more than that.”

The situation intensified just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia had begun mass production of its hypersonic nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles. Putin added that these missiles could be stationed in Belarus, a key Russian ally bordering Ukraine, by the end of the year.

This surge in nuclear rhetoric unfolds as Trump’s self-imposed deadline for Russia to take concrete steps towards ending its invasion of Ukraine looms. Trump warned of new, unspecified sanctions if Russia fails to act. Despite mounting international pressure, Moscow’s military aggression continues unabated, with relentless attacks on Ukraine’s cities and civilians.

Since June, Russian strikes have claimed the lives of hundreds of Ukrainian civilians. A combined missile and drone assault on Kyiv early Thursday resulted in the deaths of 31 people, including five children, when a residential apartment block was ripped apart.

President Putin, who has repeatedly dismissed international calls for a ceasefire, reiterated his rigid stance on Friday. Speaking alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin stated that Russia’s conditions for ending the conflict remained unchanged. These demands include Ukraine relinquishing occupied territories and abandoning its aspirations to join NATO.

Putin confirmed that preparations for deploying the Oreshnik missile system in Belarus were underway, with suitable sites already identified. “Work is now underway to prepare these positions. Most likely, we will close this issue by the end of the year,” he said.

From Online Insults to Nuclear Posturing

The war of words between Trump and Medvedev, which began as a series of social media exchanges, took a menacing turn as nuclear threats entered the discourse. Both the United States and Russia possess the lion’s share of the world’s nuclear arsenal, and Washington maintains a constant strategic deterrence with its fleet of nuclear-armed submarines.

Trump, in his Newsmax interview, explained that Medvedev’s nuclear references had triggered his decision to reposition US submarines. “When you mention the word ‘nuclear’… my eyes light up. And I say, we better be careful, because it’s the ultimate threat,” Trump stated, signaling his readiness to respond decisively.

The verbal clash escalated earlier this week when Medvedev, via Telegram, referred to the Cold War-era “Dead Hand” — a clandestine automated nuclear retaliation system designed to respond to a decapitation strike on Russia. This ominous allusion came in response to Trump’s criticism of Russia’s “dead economies” alongside India.

Medvedev also condemned Trump’s ultimatum of fresh sanctions over Russia’s actions in Ukraine, accusing him of “playing the ultimatum game.” In a pointed remark, Medvedev warned Trump to remember that Russia remains a formidable force. The former Russian president’s post on X (formerly Twitter) accused Trump of dangerous provocations.

Unfazed, Trump fired back by labeling Medvedev as the “failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President.” He warned Medvedev to “watch his words” and accused him of “entering very dangerous territory.”

Medvedev, who served as Russia’s President from 2008 to 2012, is widely seen as a loyalist placeholder for Vladimir Putin and has since reinvented himself as a fervent Kremlin hardliner. His influence within Russia’s power structure is limited, but his aggressive online rhetoric often mirrors the Kremlin’s nationalist narratives.

Ukraine Mourns Amid Escalating Crisis

While the United States and Russia exchanged threats, Ukraine continued to grapple with the devastating consequences of the ongoing invasion. In Kyiv, Friday was declared a day of mourning for the 31 victims of Thursday’s missile and drone attacks. Rescuers worked through the debris of a nine-story apartment block, where most of the casualties occurred.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once again called for direct talks with President Putin, insisting that only the Russian leader could bring an end to the war. “The United States has proposed this. Ukraine has supported it. What is needed is Russia’s readiness,” Zelensky wrote on X.

Despite diplomatic overtures, Putin’s rigid demands and nuclear brinkmanship have stalled any meaningful progress towards peace. The conflict, now in its fourth year, shows little sign of abating, as Russia continues its offensive while the West contemplates further sanctions.

As the geopolitical chessboard becomes more volatile, Trump’s decision to bring nuclear submarines into the equation marks a dangerous and unprecedented escalation, moving the standoff beyond rhetoric into a perilous realm of military readiness.

Team Maverick.