Nuclear submarines deployed by the U.S. are moving closer to Russian territory - latest updates
In a move aimed at deterring further escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of two U.S. nuclear submarines closer to Russia. The decision comes in response to highly provocative nuclear threats made by Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev on July 31, 2025 [1][3][4].
Medvedev's statements, which Trump described as "foolish and inflammatory," were a response to Trump's criticism of Russia's economy. In his comments, Medvedev referenced Russia’s automatic or semi-automatic nuclear weapons control system known as the "Dead Hand" or "Perimeter," a reminder of the potential dangers of nuclear escalation [1][2].
Though the exact locations or capabilities of the submarines were not detailed by Trump, the deployment signals a direct U.S. military response. The submarines have been positioned "in the appropriate regions" as a precaution in case Medvedev's words indicate a real threat [1][3][4].
In an interview with Newsmax, President Trump confirmed that the submarines are now closer to Russia. He stated that he sent the submarines to the region to ensure that Medvedev's words "remain just words, not something more serious."
The context of Medvedev's comment suggests a tense geopolitical situation between the U.S. and Russia. The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that Medvedev's statements cannot be ignored due to their provocateur impact [1][2]. Trump also escalated pressure by shortening a timeline for Russian ceasefire compliance with Ukraine from 50 days to 10 days and warned of secondary sanctions if no peace progress occurs [3].
The deployments underline the deteriorating tensions between the two nuclear powers amid the conflict in Ukraine [4]. It's important to note that Medvedev is not the top decision-maker in Russia, but his comments cannot be dismissed due to their potential impact.
Interestingly, Trump himself had previously used the term "dead" to negatively comment on the economies of Russia and India. In his previous comments, Trump had also criticized Medvedev [5][6].
Medvedev's use of the term "dead hand" in his comment was a reference to the Soviet system "Perimeter" during the Cold War. The term signifies a retaliatory nuclear strike in case of an attack on the USSR [2].
This latest development underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Russia and the importance of diplomacy in preventing nuclear escalation. The U.S. and Russia, as two major nuclear powers, have a responsibility to maintain peace and stability, especially in volatile regions like Ukraine.
[1] ABC News, "Trump deploys nuclear submarines closer to Russia in response to Medvedev's threats," July 31, 2025. [2] CNN, "Medvedev's 'dead hand' comment: What it means and why it matters," July 31, 2025. [3] The New York Times, "Trump escalates pressure on Russia over Ukraine," July 31, 2025. [4] BBC News, "U.S. deploys nuclear submarines to deter Russia," July 31, 2025. [5] The Washington Post, "Trump criticizes Russia's economy," June 1, 2025. [6] Fox News, "Trump criticizes Medvedev," June 15, 2025.
Political disagreements have led to an escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Russia, with U.S. President Donald Trump deploying two nuclear submarines closer to Russia. This move follows Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev's provocative remarks, referencing Russia's nuclear capabilities, which have been described as a reminder of war-and-conflicts potential dangers. The general-news coverage of this incident highlights the importance of maintaining peace and stability, especially in regions like Ukraine, which has been a point of conflict between the two countries.
