Donald Trump mobilises two nuke submarines after 'highly provocative' move from Russia

The war of words between US President Donald Trump and Dmitry Medvedev, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, escalated on Friday evening. The American leader announced on the platform Truth Social that he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned "in appropriate regions" in light of "foolish and inflammatory statements" coming from Russia.

He wrote: "Based on the highly provocative statements of the Former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, 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. Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

It comes after Medvedev warned Mr Trump to remember Russia has Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilities of last resort. That came after Mr Trump told Medvedev to "watch his words".

In a post on his Truth Social network in the early hours of Thursday, the US leader directed sharp criticism at Medvedev after the former Russian president said Mr Trump's threat to hit Russia and buyers of its oil with punitive tariffs was "a game of ultimatums". He said it took the two countries a step closer towards war.

Mr Trump wrote: "Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he's still President, to watch his words. He's entering very dangerous territory!"

The US leader said on Tuesday (July 29) Russia had "10 days" to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or it would be hit with tariffs along with those who buy its oil.

Mr Trump said India and China, which buy Russian oil, can take their "dead economies" down with Russia, adding the US does "very little" business with India and "almost no business" with Russia. He said: "Let's keep it that way."

At the time of writing, Moscow has not indicated whether it will comply with Washington's ceasefire deadline.

Mr Trump this week announced 25% tariffs on goods from India on top of extra penalties for India's reliance on Russia for oil and military equipment.

Medvedev said if some of his words had triggered such a "nervous reaction" from the "high-and-mighty" president of the US, then Russia was doing everything right and would continue to proceed along its own path.

He said Mr Trump should remember "how dangerous the fabled 'Dead Hand' can be". This was a reference to a secretive Russian command system designed to launch nuclear missiles if Russia's leadership were to be taken out in an enemy strike.

Medvedev is one of Russian President Putin's leading mouthpieces, whose belligerent outbursts have been dismissed by some analysts while others suggest they provide an insight into how Russia's leaders think.