A recent social media clash between former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Donald Trump has taken an unexpected turn—with the U.S. president reportedly ordering two nuclear submarines closer to Russia. But while the online feud escalated quickly, Moscow’s response has been notably muted.
Medvedev, known for his increasingly hawkish rhetoric since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, recently warned that Trump’s ultimatums over the war were pushing the world closer to conflict. Trump fired back, calling Medvedev a “failed former president” and suggesting he was treading on “dangerous territory.” The exchange took a darker turn when Medvedev referenced Russia’s Cold War-era “Dead Hand” nuclear retaliation system—a remark that appears to have triggered Trump’s submarine deployment.
Yet in Russia, the reaction has been dismissive. Military analysts and retired officials have brushed off Trump’s move as bluster, with one calling it “meaningless blather” and another suggesting it was merely a temper tantrum. State media has largely ignored the development, and the Kremlin itself has remained silent—raising questions about whether Moscow views the situation as serious or simply another Trumpian negotiating tactic.
This isn’t the first time Trump has used military posturing in response to online provocations. In 2017, he claimed to have sent submarines toward North Korea, only to later meet with Kim Jong Un. Some speculate his latest move could be a prelude to direct talks with Russia—though whether Vladimir Putin would engage remains uncertain.
For now, the lack of an official Russian response suggests either deliberate restraint or indifference. But with tensions already high over Ukraine, the world will be watching closely to see if this digital-age standoff escalates—or fades as quickly as it began.
