President Donald Trump announced Friday that he has ordered two U.S. nuclear submarines to be strategically deployed in response to what he called “highly provocative statements” from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council.
“I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The move signals a significant escalation in rhetoric and posture between Washington and Moscow as Trump’s 10-day deadline for Russia to end its war in Ukraine ticks down.
The Spark: Medvedev Warns of War
Earlier this week, Medvedev blasted Trump’s ultimatum for Russia to withdraw from Ukraine as a “step towards war” — not just with Ukraine, but with the United States itself.
“Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia… Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country,” Medvedev warned Monday on X (formerly Twitter).
Trump Responds: “Words Are Very Important”
In his post, Trump warned Medvedev and Moscow that reckless language could have real consequences.
“Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances,” Trump said.
While Trump did not reveal the exact deployment location of the submarines, experts believe the vessels are likely headed to strategic points in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, where they can maintain stealth and deterrent capability near both Europe and the Russian mainland.
Countdown to Deadline
Trump’s updated 10–12 day deadline — first announced Monday while in Scotland — replaces a 50-day window he initially gave for Russia to make peace or face severe economic penalties.
“There’s no reason for waiting. It was 50 days. I wanted to be generous, but we just don’t see any progress being made,” Trump told reporters.
His frustration has grown following a massive Russian drone and missile barrage that struck Kyiv and multiple Ukrainian cities this week, with the Ukrainian air force reporting more than 300 drones and several missiles launched in a single day.
Trump Shares Russian and Ukrainian Casualty Estimates
Trump also posted casualty estimates Friday:
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Russian military deaths in July: ~20,000
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Total Russian deaths in 2025 (to date): ~112,500
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Ukrainian military deaths in 2025: ~8,000 (excluding missing)
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Civilian casualties: Described as “smaller numbers,” particularly from Russian rocket attacks on major cities like Kyiv.
“This is a War that should have never happened,” Trump wrote. “This is Biden’s War, not ‘TRUMP’s.’ I’m just here to see if I can stop it!”
Strategic Shift as Nuclear Assets Enter Play
Trump’s order to deploy nuclear-armed submarines is one of the strongest deterrent signals the U.S. has made since the conflict began. It reflects Trump’s belief that only economic force and strategic deterrence will stop Putin.
The move also mirrors Cold War-era tactics, with nuclear-capable submarines used as both a show of force and a last-resort backstop to diplomacy.
