Nuclear-powered submarines of the Trump administration relocate near Russian borders.
In a move aimed at signaling readiness and applying diplomatic pressure, US President Donald Trump has ordered the tactical redeployment of two Ohio-class nuclear submarines closer to Russia. This decision comes in response to "highly provocative" statements made by former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, particularly his online threats[1][2][4].
The submarines, part of the US nuclear triad, are capable of carrying up to 24 Trident II D5 ballistic missiles each, with multiple thermonuclear warheads. However, experts and Russian sources note that such submarines are routinely on patrol, and the announcement is seen by some as more of a political signal than any new operational military move[1][3][4].
The exact location of the submarines was not initially specified. Trump announced the submarine redeployment on his Truth Social platform, emphasizing the need for the US to be prepared due to Medvedev's mention of "nuclear" and the need for security reasons[5].
Meanwhile, tensions continue to escalate between the two nations. In the Russian region of Belgorod, near the border with Ukraine, two men were reportedly killed in a drone strike[6]. On the Ukrainian side, a heavy drone strike on the eastern city of Kharkiv injured at least 11 people, including a five-month-old infant and two children aged nine and ten[7]. The public spat between Trump and Medvedev has been ongoing for several days, with Medvedev referring to Trump as "grandpa" in his threats on the X platform[8].
No direct military response or change in operational posture by Russia has been reported following this US order, and the Russian officials consider this a non-event militarily since these nuclear subs have long been active in those regions[1][4]. The move appears to be aimed at signaling US readiness and applying diplomatic pressure rather than constituting any escalation in physical deployments beyond normal nuclear deterrence patrols[1][4].
In a separate development, Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is planning a trip to Russia after his visit to Israel. The details of Witkoff's trip have not been provided. On Friday, Witkoff was still in the Middle East, assessing the situation in the Gaza Strip[3].
Despite the ongoing tensions, the devastating destruction and loss of life and injuries in Ukraine due to the ongoing Russian invasion for over three years far exceed the number of casualties and damage on the Russian side[9]. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov described the Kharkiv drone strike as a Ukrainian terrorist attack on his Telegram channel[7].
References:
- CNN
- BBC
- Reuters
- The Guardian
- Truth Social post
- RIA Novosti
- Telegram channel of the military governor, Oleh Synyehubov
- X platform post
- UN OCHA
The US nuclear submarine redeployment, responsible for carrying Trident II D5 ballistic missiles, is seen as a political signal rather than a new operational military move, amidst escalating tensions between the US and Russia over war-and-conflicts and general-news. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue as Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, plans a trip to Russia following his visit to Israel.
