Trump Orders Nuclear Submarine Deployment In Escalating Clash With Russia
US President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines in response to an ongoing war of words with a top Russian official, escalating tensions over the war in Ukraine and new tariff threats.
The move, announced on Trump’s Truth Social account on Friday, followed days of heated exchanges between the 79-year-old Republican and Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council.
“Based on the highly provocative statements,” Trump said, he had “ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, 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,” he added.
Trump did not clarify whether the submarines are nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed, nor did he disclose their deployment locations, which are classified.
The announcement comes as Trump’s deadline for Russia to take steps towards ending its invasion of Ukraine expires next week. He has warned of unspecified new sanctions if Moscow fails to comply.
Despite US pressure, Russian forces have intensified their offensive. An AFP analysis revealed that July saw a record number of drone attacks on Ukraine. On Thursday, a combined missile and drone strike on Kyiv killed 31 people, including five children, according to rescue officials.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he wants peace but reaffirmed his conditions for ending the nearly three-and-a-half-year war. These include Ukraine abandoning certain territories and shelving its NATO membership ambitions.
Medvedev, who served as Russia’s president from 2008 to 2012, had criticised Trump’s sanctions threats and mocked his comments about the Russian and Indian economies. He also referenced the Cold War-era “Dead Hand” nuclear control system in a Telegram post.
In response, Trump described Medvedev as “the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President” and warned him to “watch his words” as he was “entering very dangerous territory.”
Meanwhile, Kyiv observed a day of mourning for the 31 people killed in Thursday’s attack, most of whom were residents of a nine-storey apartment block destroyed by a missile.
Iryna Drozd, a 28-year-old mother of three, laid flowers at the site, saying, “These are flowers because children died. We brought flowers because we have children. Our children live across the street from here.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his call for direct talks with Putin, saying, “The United States has proposed this. Ukraine has supported it. What is needed is Russia’s readiness.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
