Donald Trump has ordered the redeployment of two US nuclear submarines in response to controversial statements by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. He spoke of a 'threat' from Medvedev and warned Moscow against further escalation in the Ukraine war.

Security analysts called Trump's move a rhetorical escalation with Moscow, but not necessarily a military one, given that the United States already has nuclear-powered submarines that are deployed and capable of striking Russia.