Following US President Donald Trump's statement on August 1 regarding the relocation of two nuclear submarines near Russian borders, the Kremlin gradually began to form a coordinated response. In the days that followed, on August 2 and 3, reactions were diverse, but by August 4, high-ranking Russian officials were already using unified rhetoric, News.bg reports.
Moscow has demonstrated three main approaches: it defines Trump's decision as “emotional“, downplays the threat to Russia and presents the country as a more responsible player on the international stage compared to Washington. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that discussion of nuclear escalation is “premature” and “very emotional“, emphasizing that Russia approaches nuclear security issues “carefully“ and takes a “responsible position“.
A similar line is followed by other officials, including the chairman of the Federation Council Foreign Policy Committee Grigory Karasin and deputies of the State Duma. Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov said that Russia does not threaten anyone and that Trump is mistaken if he thinks that the deployment of submarines will scare Moscow.
Despite the restrained official position, the Kremlin has a long-standing practice of using nuclear rhetoric as a tool for pressure on the West. Trump himself admitted that his decision was a response to threats made by the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev on July 31. Medvedev hinted at the automatic nuclear response system, known as “Dead Hand“ or “Perimeter“. President Vladimir Putin also often makes ambiguous statements about the country's nuclear capabilities, including the “Oreknik“ ballistic missile system. In turn, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on August 1 that Trump cannot dictate rules to a nuclear power like Russia.
The Kremlin is trying to distance Medvedev from Putin's foreign policy. Peskov stressed that different Russian representatives may have their own assessments, but the final position is determined by the president. However, Medvedev's statements are likely part of a coordinated information strategy aimed at presenting Putin as a more moderate leader and opening up space for future threats or demands.
In parallel with foreign policy statements, the Russian authorities are increasing domestic pressure through anti-corruption actions, especially in border regions. Regional officials are often used as “scapegoats“ for the inability to stop the Ukrainian offensive. According to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, bribery cases have increased by over 50%. In the first half of 2025 alone, there has been a significant increase in investigations and arrests. Among those detained are the former governor of the Tambov region, Maxim Egorov, the editor-in-chief of a media outlet affiliated with law enforcement agencies, and other senior officials.
Arrests are particularly active in the border regions of Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod, where officials are accused of embezzling funds for defense infrastructure. In the Kursk region, the dissolution of the state corporation for the development of the region is even being considered due to corruption scandals.
On the front line, Russian forces continue limited offensive operations in the Kursk, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions, but without significant results. The Ukrainian military has launched a drone strike on railway infrastructure in the Volgograd region, which was confirmed by Russian authorities with reports of fires and traffic disruptions.
In the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian units are attacking Ukrainian positions near Orekhiv, Plavny and other settlements, but are encountering active resistance and counterattacks. Units of the Airborne Forces and the 58th Army continue to operate in the area.
The Ukrainian military reported that it had destroyed a Russian S-300 air defense system and shot down 161 Russian drones, as well as one “X-47 Kinzhal“ missile launched from an unknown location. At the same time, Russian drones have launched strikes on civilian infrastructure in the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions. According to Ukrainian military sources, Russia plans to significantly increase the use of drones in the winter of 2025, with the potential for thousands of attacks per day.