President Donald Trump has announced the deployment of two US nuclear-powered submarines to regions near Russia, citing recent nuclear threats issued by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
The unprecedented public disclosure, which overrides longstanding US policy of strategic ambiguity, marks a significant escalation in Washington’s messaging towards Moscow.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, President Trump stated that he had instructed the submarines to move into “appropriate regions” in light of Medvedev’s warnings and Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine. The White House has not disclosed the submarines’ locations or missions, but military analysts suggest the move is designed to reinforce the president’s demands for a ceasefire.
The statement follows a sharp exchange between Trump and Medvedev, now Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council. Medvedev had earlier warned Trump to “rethink” his stance on the war in Ukraine and referred to Russia’s nuclear capabilities, including its semi-automated launch system known as the “Dead Hand”.
Trump responded on Thursday by accusing Medvedev of recklessness and warned that such rhetoric “can often lead to unintended consequences”. The president said he was “disgusted” by Russia’s increasing use of drones and missiles against Ukrainian cities, and added that his tolerance for Russian President Vladimir Putin had reached a limit.
Trump’s decision to publicly signal a nuclear-capable deployment is highly unusual. US policy, particularly under NATO doctrine, has traditionally kept such movements secret to preserve ambiguity and reduce the risk of escalation. Past exceptions include the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973, when overt messaging was used to deter adversaries.
Military analysts believe the submarines in question are most likely Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. Each vessel can carry up to 24 Trident II nuclear missiles and remains submerged for extended periods, making them a central element of the United States’ nuclear triad.
Dr Sidharth Kaushal, a defence specialist at the Royal United Services Institute, said that the public disclosure “signals intent” rather than changing US posture. “A portion of the US strategic nuclear submarine fleet is continuously at sea and deployed in areas which would enable it to strike targets if need be,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a massive change operationally. It’s more the fact that he’s chosen to publicly discuss the deployment of these capabilities.”
The submarine announcement coincides with an ongoing ultimatum issued by President Trump to the Kremlin. Earlier this week, he gave Vladimir Putin ten days to show progress towards peace or face sanctions targeting Russia’s closest trading partners, including China and India. That deadline is due to expire on 8 August.
The president has threatened sweeping tariffs and secondary sanctions aimed at curbing the export of Russian oil. There are already indications that the threat is having an impact. On Friday, Reuters reported that two tankers carrying Russian crude destined for India were diverted, while trade data showed India increasing purchases from the Gulf, Azerbaijan and the United States.
Despite these developments, the Kremlin appeared unmoved. In a statement on Friday, President Putin said that “all disappointments arise from inflated expectations,” a remark seen as a direct rebuke to Trump’s negotiating tactics. There was no reference to the submarine deployment.
Meanwhile, Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine continues. In July alone, Russian forces captured an estimated 275 square miles of territory in eastern Ukraine, building on gains from previous months. However, the cost has been high. Trump claimed on Friday that nearly 200,000 Russian soldiers had died in July alone—a figure that has not been independently verified—compared to 8,000 Ukrainian military deaths since the start of the year.
Medvedev, once seen as a relatively moderate figure, has taken on an increasingly hardline and provocative role since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. His comments on nuclear doctrine have often mirrored Kremlin messaging, though Ukrainian and Western officials alike have questioned his reliability. Allegations of erratic behaviour and a rumoured drinking problem have circulated widely, including among some inside the Russian government.
Trump’s recent rhetoric marks a departure from his earlier position. While he has previously expressed admiration for Putin, his latest comments suggest a shift towards a more confrontational approach, particularly as Russian attacks on civilians have intensified. July saw a record number of drone and missile strikes by Russian forces, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths.
This article was originally published on DefenceMatters.eu
