trump Orders Nuclear Submarine Deployment, Sparks Russian Warning
Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced Friday he directed the movement of two nuclear submarines closer to russia, prompting a sharp response from Dmitry Medvedev, Vice chairman of Russia’s Security Council.The move comes amid escalating rhetoric from Trump regarding the war in Ukraine and demands for a negotiated settlement with Moscow.
The White House has not disclosed the specific locations of the submarines, which are believed to be part of the U.S. Navy’s ballistic missile submarine fleet, specifically the Ohio-class submarines based out of Naval Base Kitsap in Washington State and Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in Georgia. These submarines carry Trident II D5 ballistic missiles, capable of reaching targets across the globe.
Medvedev Cites “Dead Hand” System
Medvedev characterized Trump’s actions as a dangerous escalation, framing them as an ultimatum. He warned that each new demand from Trump brings the world closer to war with the United States. In a post on his Telegram channel, Medvedev referenced the Soviet-era “Perimeter” system, colloquially known as “Dead Hand,” an automatic retaliation system designed to launch nuclear strikes even if the Soviet leadership was incapacitated. He alluded to the system’s potential for unintended consequences,suggesting Trump should “remember his favorite movies about the walking corpses.”
The “Dead Hand” system, developed in the 1980s, was intended as a fail-safe to ensure a retaliatory nuclear strike even in the event of a decapitating first strike. While its current operational status is debated, its existence underscores the inherent risks of nuclear escalation.
Trump initially issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin to alter Russia’s approach to the conflict in Ukraine. He afterward reduced the deadline to ten days, set to expire on August 8th. Trump has stated that if Putin does not engage in peace negotiations, he will implement significant tariffs and other economic measures against Russia.
The deployment of nuclear submarines, while not unprecedented, is a highly visible signal of U.S. resolve. Experts note that such movements are often intended to demonstrate capability and deter further aggression, but also carry the risk of miscalculation. The U.S. Navy routinely maintains a presence of nuclear submarines in strategic locations globally.
This situation unfolds as the U.S. State Department recently announced the appointment of Kurt Volker, former Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations, as an envoy to engage with Russia. Volker’s mission is to explore potential avenues for de-escalation and a negotiated resolution to the conflict.