New York [US], August 2: On July 31, Mr. Medvedev wrote on the messaging app Telegram reminding Mr. Trump to remember that Moscow possesses nuclear attack capabilities, after the US president wrote on the social network Truth Social that Mr. Medvedev "should be careful with his words," according to Reuters.
"Based on extremely provocative statements by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev... I have ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines in the appropriate areas, in case these foolish and aggressive statements go too far," Trump wrote on social media on August 1.
"Words are important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, and I hope this is not one of those cases," Trump added. Asked by reporters why he ordered the submarine , Trump replied: "A threat was made by the former Russian president, and we will protect our people."
Before Trump's latest remarks, US officials told Reuters that Medvedev's remarks were not considered a serious threat, and it was unclear what prompted Trump's latest statement beyond the public war of words between the two on social media.
Trump and Medvedev have been exchanging words in recent days after Trump on July 29 announced that he would give Russia 10 days to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face tariffs, according to Reuters. Medvedev is currently deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council and is considered an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The US Navy and Pentagon declined to comment on Trump's remarks or whether the submarines were deployed. It is extremely rare for the US military to discuss the deployment and location of its submarines due to the sensitive role of submarines in nuclear deterrence, according to Reuters.
Mr Trump did not specify what he meant by "nuclear submarines". US military submarines are nuclear-powered and can be armed with nuclear-tipped missiles, but not all submarines are equipped with nuclear weapons.
However, security experts say any statement by a US president about potential nuclear military capabilities is worrying, noting that the US has long refrained from competing with Russia on nuclear threats due to the risks associated with this type of weapon of mass destruction, according to Reuters.
Also according to Reuters, security analysts called Mr. Trump's new move an escalation in the war of words with Moscow, but not necessarily a military escalation, because the US already has nuclear-powered submarines deployed and capable of attacking Russia.
In particular, expert Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists noted that US nuclear submarines are always deployed to launch missiles carrying nuclear warheads at targets in Russia.The US has a total of 14 Ohio-class nuclear submarines, each capable of carrying up to 24 Trident II D5 ballistic missiles, which can carry multiple thermonuclear warheads with a range of up to 7,400 km. At any given time, between 8 and 10 Ohio-class submarines are deployed, according to the US arms control group NTI.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper