Update your settings

Submerged Signals: Trump Sends Nuclear Submarines After Medvedev’s Warning Shot

In a bold demonstration of deterrence, President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of two U.S. nuclear submarines to undisclosed locations following a tense online exchange with Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and current Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council.

Trump made the announcement Thursday morning on Truth Social, citing what he called “highly provocative” and “foolish” statements by Medvedev. “Due to the highly provocative statements made by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev... I have ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines to the relevant regions,” Trump wrote. He emphasized that “words matter a great deal and can often lead to unintended consequences,” and expressed hope that this would not be one of those instances.

The escalation began after Trump warned he would impose steep tariffs on Russian goods and energy exports if Moscow fails to pursue a ceasefire in Ukraine. Medvedev, known for his increasingly combative tone toward the West, responded on Telegram with a dark reference to Russia’s Cold War-era “Dead Hand” system—a semi-automated nuclear retaliation protocol designed to ensure launch capability even if the Kremlin leadership were wiped out.

Trump, in return, lashed out again: “Tell Medvedev, the failed former president of Russia who thinks he's still president, to watch his words. He’s treading on very dangerous ground.”

The U.S. Navy, while typically silent about the movements of its nuclear submarine fleet, has not disputed the president’s statement. However, the Pentagon has not provided details on the type or destination of the submarines. Analysts say the move likely signals a show of strength rather than preparation for conflict, though it is highly unusual for a sitting president to publicize such deployments.

Medvedev, once seen as a moderate within the Kremlin, has since emerged as one of its most hawkish voices. His remarks, while sometimes dismissed in the West as bluster, are increasingly being taken seriously by U.S. and European officials for what they may reveal about the mood within Russia’s senior leadership.

Though no immediate military confrontation is expected, the episode has further strained the already brittle relations between Washington and Moscow. Trump’s maneuver underscores how digital posturing can trigger real-world consequences in a geopolitical climate already steeped in volatility.