A top Russian official has issued a chilling warning to President Donald Trump, referencing the Cold War-era “Dead Hand” nuclear system—a rumored automated retaliation mechanism designed to launch nuclear missiles if Russian leadership is incapacitated in a first strike.
The message came from Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and current deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, who has been engaged in a sharp war of words with President Trump on social media in recent days.
Tensions flared after President Trump, speaking from Scotland earlier this week, gave Russia a 10-to-12-day deadline to begin withdrawing from Ukraine or face new U.S. sanctions and possible tariffs. “There’s no reason in waiting,” Trump said. “I don’t want to do that to Russia. I love the Russian people—but I’m disappointed in President Putin.”
Medvedev swiftly responded on Monday, warning that such ultimatums from Trump bring the U.S. closer to direct confrontation with Russia. “Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step toward war—not just between Russia and Ukraine, but between Russia and his own country,” Medvedev wrote. “Don’t go down the Sleepy Joe road!”
Trump hit back on Friday, dismissing Russia’s economic ties with the U.S. and mocking Medvedev’s political relevance. “Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way,” Trump said. “Tell Medvedev—the failed former President of Russia who thinks he’s still in charge—to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory.”
Medvedev’s next message referenced the “Dead Hand,” warning Trump with a cryptic statement: “Let him remember his favorite movies about ‘The Walking Dead,’ and just how real the supposedly ‘non-existent’ Dead Hand can be.”
While the existence of Dead Hand—also known as “Perimeter”—has never been officially confirmed, it was acknowledged in 2011 by a retired commander of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, who claimed it could be reactivated if necessary.
Medvedev also brushed off recent calls for negotiations. Responding to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham’s plea for Russia to engage in peace talks, Medvedev scoffed: “It’s not for you or Trump to decide when we come to the table. Negotiations will end when all the goals of our military operation have been achieved. Focus on America first, gramps!”
The exchange underscores the rising hostility between Washington and Moscow as diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine continue to stall.
