Cuban Missile Crisis Redux...

"Based on the highly provocative statements of the former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that."

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

"Medvedev said some things that are very bad, talking about nuclear. When you mention the word nuclear my eyes light up and I say we better be careful, because it's the ultimate threat."

"A threat was made and we didn't think it was appropriate, so I have to be very careful. So I do that on the basis of safety for our people. A threat was made by a former president of Russia, and we're going to protect our people."

U.S. President Donald J. Trump 

Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Maine transits Puget Sound during routine operations, March 18, 2025.   Specialist 1st Class Ryan Riley/U.S. Navy

 

"Trump's playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10… He should remember 2 things: 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."

"Don't go down the Sleepy Joe road!"

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, currently deputy chair, Russia's security council

 

"[The Patriot transfer to Ukraine was made possible by an agreement with the U.S. that Germany would be] the first nation to receive newly produced, latest-generation Patriot systems at an accelerated pace [which Berlin would pay for]."

"[The delivery to Ukraine would also include] additional system components within the next two to three months."

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius 

Dmitry Medvedev (right) has sparred with Donald Trump on social media in recent days. Getty Images

 

After Trump shortened the timeline for his ceasefire-or-sanctions ultimatum, Medvedev responded Monday by warning him that was a step towards war. He added, "Don't go down the Sleepy Joe road!"

• Trump responded in a post on Truth Social calling Medvedev a "failed former President" and warning him to "watch his words" as he's entering "dangerous territory."
• On Friday morning, Medvedev fired back with an allusion to Russia's "Dead Hand" automated strike system — which purportedly could unleash a full-scale nuclear response in the event Russia was struck first.
• Medvedev also mocked Trump, saying "if a few words from the former President of Russia can provoke such a jittery reaction from the mighty President of the United States, then Russia must be completely in the right."

Axios

 More bodies pulled from under rubble in yet another aerial bombardment from Russia, with numbers of dead doubling, to reflect the deadliest strike so far this year on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. While recovery operations commence, Germany has stepped in to announce it plans to provide two Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine, in coming days. Berlin is poised at the top of a list to obtain new-model replacements of the Patriot systems from the United States in an exchange agreement.

 

Ukraine desperately needs more air defences to stave off strikes from unrelenting Russian missile and drone attacks, and its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pleaded with Ukraine's western allies to provide them. In July alone, stated President Zelenskyy, Russian forces launched some 3,800 drones, 250 missiles -- including 128 ballistic missiles and 5,100 guided bombs. Ukrainian forces are using outdated equipment in attempting to intercept the drones and missiles; whatever they have in their antiquated arsenal is clearly lacking effectiveness.

 

The "vile blow" of the Thursday overnight attack demonstrated that additional pressure on Moscow was required, stated Mr. Zelenskyy, going on to say that Ukraine's allies in the west should tighten their sanctions regime against the Kremlin, something that U.S. President Donald Trump has been threatening to do. "No matter how much the Kremlin denies their effectiveness, [the sanctions] are working and must be stronger -- to hit everything that allows such strikes to continue."

 

President Trump is preparing to slap additional sanctions on Moscow to place pressure on Russia to accept a ceasefire. Trump characterized the Russian airstrikes on civilian targets in Ukraine as 'disgusting' and 'a disgrace', even while himself questioning the effectiveness of further sanctions to convince Russian President Putin to agree to a ceasefire. "I don't know that sanctions bother  him. I don't now if that has any effect, but we're going to do it", said the U.S. president.

 

He also said on Friday that he had ordered two nuclear submarines positioned "in the appropriate regions" after former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev reminded the U.S. that Moscow still has robust nuclear strike capabilities. President Trump had earlier in the week tightened the deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire from the previous stated 50 days to ten days, for Russia to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine or face new sanctions.

 

Explosions seen in Kyiv during Russian attack   Still from video

 

Ukrainian air defences have been overwhelmed by the numbers and frequency of cruise and ballistic missiles, along with drones fired at Ukrainian targets by Russian forces. The missile clusters in combination with waves of drones have been devastating for the ill-equipped, overworked Ukrainian military teams, with no relief in sight. Expectation of the receipt of the Patriot missile systems will substantially boost both Ukrainian morale and the functionality of Ukraine's response to the bombardments.

 

Thursday's overnight attack saw over 300 drones across Ukraine, with 21 drones striking  targets, the brunt borne by Kyiv, stated Ukraine's air force. Of the eight cruise missiles fired, five penetrated Ukraine's air defences, according to the Ukrainian military. 

 

Sputnik/Alexei Maishev and REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein