US vs. Russia: Medvedev's statements that triggered the deployment of nuclear submarines

Tensions between the United States and Russia escalated again after Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and current vice-chairman of the Russian Security Council, issued a direct warning to President Donald Trump .

The Russian official's remarks were considered so provocative that Trump ordered the deployment of nuclear submarines as a precautionary measure.

Via his social media, Medvedev responded to Trump's recent messages—who had allegedly issued an ultimatum to Russia over the war in Ukraine—with a warning that quickly set off alarm bells:

“Trump is playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10... He should remember two things:

1. Russia is not Israel or even Iran.
2. Every new ultimatum is a threat and a step toward war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with your own country. Don't go the way of Sleepy Joe!

Medvedev also indirectly mentioned the Soviet automatic retaliation system known as Dead Hand , designed to launch a nuclear attack even if the Russian leadership is eliminated.

A reference that, in the current context, was read as a clear warning about the consequences of increasing pressure on Moscow.

Hours later, President Trump reacted with a post on Truth Social , calling Medvedev's remarks " highly provocative " and announcing the preemptive deployment of nuclear-capable submarines:

“Based on the highly provocative statements by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev […] I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be repositioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these senseless and inflammatory statements are anything more than mere words.”

“Words are very important and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this isn't one of those cases.”

Trump did not specify in which regions the units would be located, but the announcement was understood as a direct deterrent to the Russian government.

This latest episode is reminiscent of what happened in June 2024 , when a Russian flotilla of three warships and a Yasen-M-class nuclear submarine sailed toward Cuba and conducted military exercises off the coast of Florida, some 30 kilometers from the U.S. maritime border.

The maneuvers were closely followed by the U.S. Navy and Canadian forces. While they did not pose a direct threat, they did set a precedent for Moscow's growing military presence in the Western Hemisphere.