U.S. President Trump declares that Russian nuclear submarines are circling approaches
In a move aimed at deterring potential escalation, President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of two atomic submarines to "appropriate regions" in response to provocative statements made by Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, earlier this year.
The exact locations and capabilities of the submarines remain undisclosed, with uncertainty surrounding whether they are Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines armed with nuclear weapons or other nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines.
The decision comes as Trump attempts to counter Medvedev's social media posts, which warned that U.S. ultimatums on the Russia-Ukraine conflict could lead to war between the two nations. Trump expressed hope that the deployment would prevent unintended consequences from inflammatory rhetoric.
In response, Medvedev dismissed the U.S. military action as evidence that Russia is on the right path and cautioned Trump about the dangers of Russia’s "Dead Hand" — a semi-automated Soviet-era nuclear retaliation system. As of early August 2025, no direct military countermeasures or escalations from Russia have been publicly reported in response to the submarine deployments.
Trump has been vocal about his concerns, stating earlier this week that the U.S. will start imposing tariffs and other measures against Russia in 10 days if Moscow does not show progress in ending the war in Ukraine. However, he has yet to specify the nature of these measures.
The White House chief has confirmed that the atomic submarines have indeed moved closer to Russia. Medvedev, in turn, has accused Trump of "playing a game of ultimatums with Russia."
A notable aspect of this ongoing tension is Medvedev's latest message to Trump, which referenced Trump's favorite zombie movies. Medvedev's clarification that each new ultimatum from Trump is a threat and a step towards war, and his implication that it's not between Russia and Ukraine, but with "his own country," has added a unique twist to the situation.
The current status of the atomic submarines' movement closer to Russia remains unspecified. It is unclear if Medvedev's latest comments have escalated the tension between the U.S. and Russia, but the situation remains a point of global concern.
The deployment of atomic submarines closer to Russia by President Trump, in response to provocative statements from Dmitry Medvedev, has raised concerns about the escalation of war-and-conflicts between the two nations. Politics and general news are abuzz with discussions on the potential effects of this move, as well as Medvedev's recent comments comparing Trump's ultimatums to steps towards war and alluding to a broader involvement beyond the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
