President Donald Trump announced Aug. 1 that he has ordered two US nuclear submarines to deploy near Russia, citing statements former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made online that Trump called "highly provocative."

Trump’s decision followed a July 31 Telegram post where Medvedev, now a senior Kremlin advisor, invoked the Soviet Union’s infamous “Dead Hand” system. According to The Hill, the system is a doomsday plan designed to ensure a retaliatory nuclear strike if Russia’s top leadership were incapacitated.

In an Aug. 1 Truth Social post, Trump framed the submarine deployment as a precautionary measure in case Medvedev’s “foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.”

“Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences,” Trump added, “I hope this will not be one of those instances.”

The exchange intensified a growing war of words between Trump and Medvedev earlier this week over Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. 

Earlier in July, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Russia if it failed to reach a peace deal with Ukraine by Sept. 2. On July 28, Trump suggested he may move that deadline up to early August, The Hill reported.

Medvedev dismissed Trump’s economic threat in a July 28 X post, calling it an “ultimatum game” and warning that escalating threats could risk igniting a broader conflict.

“He should remember 2 things,” Medvedev wrote. “1. Russia isn't Israel or even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country.”

On July 31, Trump fired back on Truth Social. He told Medvedev to “watch his words” and accused him of entering “very dangerous territory.” 

“Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words,” Trump said. “He’s entering very dangerous territory!”