Trump orders nuclear submarines to Russia, says ‘just in case’
U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred global attention after announcing on social media that he ordered two nuclear submarines to be repositioned “in the appropriate regions” near Russia.
The move, according to Trump, was triggered by online threats made by Dmitri Medvedev, the former president of Russia and current deputy chairman of its 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. “Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances.”
Medvedev, known for his fiery rhetoric, had earlier likened the possibility of nuclear war to scenes from The Walking Dead and referenced the Soviet Union’s “dead hand” nuclear retaliation system.
In response, Trump said the United States must stay alert and prepared, emphasizing the need to protect American lives.
Although Trump’s social media post quickly made international headlines, it remains unclear whether any submarines have actually been moved.
Nuclear submarine operations are among the most secretive in the U.S. military, and the Pentagon rarely confirms such actions.
This is Trump’s most direct public reference to U.S. nuclear capabilities since his return to office, marking a sharp shift in his tone toward Moscow.
Just last month, he gave Russia a 50-day deadline to begin peace talks over the war in Ukraine. But after a deadly missile strike on Kyiv that killed over 30 civilians, Trump slashed the timeline to just 10–12 days.
He has also ramped up sanctions, targeting countries still purchasing Russian oil, including China, India, and Turkey.
Despite his previous calls for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump’s recent actions show a hardening stance.
His remarks have sparked fresh concerns about rising nuclear tensions between the world’s two biggest powers.
When asked by reporters on Friday before heading to his Bedminster resort why he took the decision, Trump said:
“A threat was made by a former president of Russia, and we’re going to protect our people. We just have to be careful.”
Military experts remain skeptical, noting that U.S. nuclear-armed submarines are already strategically positioned and don’t typically need to be moved to pose a threat.
Still, the Pentagon declined to confirm or deny the repositioning, referring all questions to the White House.
