President Donald Trump has responded forcefully to a provocative threat from Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, ordering the deployment of two U.S. nuclear submarines near Russian waters.
Medvedev’s ominous reference to Russia’s “dead hand” nuclear retaliatory system came after Trump criticized the Russian and Indian economies. In response, the U.S. president took decisive action that sparked concerns among military analysts and online observers.
Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists warned that Trump’s move could create a “commitment trap,” raising expectations that the U.S. might be prepared to escalate to nuclear arms if tensions with Moscow intensify.
Amid this rising tension, a resurfaced video circulated on social media claiming that Russian Borei-class submarines carrying Bulava thermonuclear missiles were nearing the U.S. coast. However, the video has been debunked—it was originally filmed in 2018 during a routine Russian naval test in the White Sea.
Despite the lack of new submarine activity, Trump’s announcement has triggered concern online. One user on X wrote, “‘I’ll end the war before I even take office.’ Six months later: ‘Send in the nuclear subs.’” Another posted, “The odds of WW3 just went up dramatically.”
Others pushed back on the panic, noting that submarine deployments are often planned months in advance and don’t necessarily signal impending conflict. “Wake up dude, it’s just more posturing,” one commenter wrote. “Learn a little bit about how ballistic missile submarines are operated.”
Evelyn Farkas, executive director of the McCain Institute, downplayed the risk of escalation. “It’s really signaling,” she said. “It’s not the beginning of some nuclear confrontation and nobody reads it as such. I would imagine the Russians don’t either.”
The Telegraph similarly reported that Trump’s Truth Social post was largely symbolic, pointing out that U.S. nuclear submarines are constantly deployed and capable of striking Russia at any time.
Tensions between the U.S. and Russia have been steadily building. Medvedev recently warned that “each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war,” referencing the “dead hand” system—a Soviet-era automated nuclear retaliation mechanism.
Trump replied via Truth Social, stating: “Based on the highly provocative statements of the former president of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions.”
He added that the move was precautionary: “Just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that. Words are very important and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances.”
Russia has previously engaged in high-stakes displays of nuclear strength, including the deployment of a nuclear-powered submarine and other warships to Cuba—just off the U.S. coastline.
Daryl Kimball, a nuclear policy expert, noted that the U.S. has generally avoided saber-rattling rhetoric around its nuclear capabilities. Trump’s move comes as he grows increasingly frustrated with President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine. However, according to Farkas, the sub deployment is unlikely to sway Russia’s actions in the ongoing conflict.
