On Friday, the United States repositioned two nuclear-powered submarines to key strategic locations following sharp remarks from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The move came in response to Medvedev’s warning to U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously referred to Russia’s economy as “dead.” In retaliation, Medvedev invoked the Cold War-era concept of the “dead hand” — an automatic or semi-automatic nuclear response system designed to launch a counterattack even if the nation’s leadership is incapacitated.
While the Kremlin has yet to issue an official response to the U.S. submarine deployments, senior Russian official Viktor Vodolatsky issued a pointed reminder. He emphasized that Russia has a larger and more globally distributed nuclear submarine fleet and suggested that the U.S. vessels now near Russian waters are already being monitored.
“The number of Russian nuclear submarines deployed across the world’s oceans surpasses that of the Americans,” Vodolatsky stated. “The submarines Trump ordered into position are already under our watch.”
According to 2025 figures from GlobalFirePower (as cited by 1945), the United States operates roughly 70 submarines, while Russia commands a fleet of 63 to 64. Both nations depend heavily on their ballistic missile submarines — often called “boomers” — as a core component of their nuclear deterrent strategies. These submarines are designed to remain hidden and capable of delivering a retaliatory nuclear strike if needed.
Comparing the Submarine Fleets: U.S. vs. Russia
U.S. Submarine Capabilities
Ballistic Missile Submarines (Ohio-class SSBNs)
The U.S. Navy operates 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. Renowned for their stealth and extended deployment capabilities, these submarines can go up to 15 years without major overhaul. Each vessel is armed with up to 20 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
Attack Submarines
The U.S. fleet includes three classes of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines (SSNs):
- Virginia-class – 24 in service
- Seawolf-class – 3 in service
- Los Angeles-class (688-class) – At least 24 remain active
These submarines are tasked with hunting enemy vessels, conducting surveillance, and supporting special operations.
Russian Submarine Capabilities
Ballistic Missile Submarines
Russia maintains approximately 14 ballistic missile submarines. This includes:
- 8 Borei-class SSBNs, each carrying 16 Bulava SLBMs and six torpedo tubes
- 6 Delta IV-class submarines, still in service but gradually being replaced by the Borei-class
Attack Submarines
The Russian Navy operates:
- 4 Yasen-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, known for their compact crew requirements and improved stealth
- 5 Akula-class submarines (named after the Russian word for “shark”), designed for high-endurance silent missions
Strategic Balance
Both the United States and Russia continue to modernize their undersea nuclear capabilities as part of broader strategic postures. With global tensions rising, the mobility and concealment of these nuclear assets remain critical to each country’s national security.
