U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the repositioning of two nuclear submarines to unspecified regions, a move prompted by escalating verbal exchanges with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
This decision comes as tensions between Washington and Moscow intensify, driven by frustrations over stalled peace negotiations in Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
The announcement, made via Trump’s Truth Social platform, underscores a rhetorical escalation, though security analysts suggest the military impact may be limited given the U.S. Navy’s existing submarine deployments.
Trump’s order follows a series of provocative statements from Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, who warned of Russia’s nuclear capabilities in response to Trump’s ultimatum for a Ukraine ceasefire by August 8.
Medvedev’s remarks, including references to Russia’s Cold War-era “Dead Hand” nuclear retaliation system, were labeled “highly provocative” by Trump.
In his social media post, Trump stated:
I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.
Security experts have noted that the U.S. already maintains a robust nuclear deterrent, with Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines capable of striking Russia from various global positions.
Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists emphasized: “The subs are always there all the time and don’t need to be moved into position.”
This suggests Trump’s announcement may serve more as a political signal than a tactical shift.
The backdrop to this development is Trump’s growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to negotiate an end to the Ukraine conflict, now in its third year.
Trump, who campaigned on ending the war swiftly, recently imposed a deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face economic sanctions.
Medvedev’s retort, accusing Trump of playing an “ultimatum game,” escalated the public spat, prompting Trump’s submarine deployment order.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said: “A threat was made by a former president of Russia, and we’re going to protect our people.”
Analysts, including Evelyn Farkas of the McCain Institute, view the move as symbolic rather than an immediate precursor to conflict.
Farkas noted: “It’s really signaling. It’s not the beginning of some nuclear confrontation.”
However, concerns remain about the risks of such rhetoric, with Daryl Kimball of the Arms Control Association calling it “irresponsible and inadvisable.”
The U.S. Navy operates 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, each capable of carrying up to 20 Trident II D5 missiles with multiple nuclear warheads, alongside four converted guided-missile submarines and numerous fast-attack submarines.
These assets, part of the U.S. nuclear triad, ensure a constant deterrent presence.
Russia, with fewer nuclear-powered submarines, including its Borei and Delta IV classes, maintains a significant but smaller undersea force.
Despite Moscow’s silence on Trump’s announcement, Russian lawmaker Viktor Vodolatsky claimed superiority, asserting that U.S. submarines are under Russian surveillance.
The ongoing war of words, coupled with Trump’s strategic posturing, highlights the delicate balance in U.S.-Russia relations.
While Trump’s actions echo his 2017 deployment of submarines near the Korean Peninsula, which led to talks with North Korea, it remains uncertain whether this move will prompt renewed dialogue with Putin or further entrench the deadlock over Ukraine.