The so-called “Ohio” class includes 18 of the largest US nuclear-powered submarines. They have a large second-strike capability, making them the US's backup in the event of a nuclear war.

“These ships are not in port,” Bolton said. Rather, they are “continuously traveling the world’s oceans on a very secretive schedule.” These voyages, known in technical jargon as “extended deterrence,” are ongoing. “So they’re already there,” Bolton said, “hopefully they’re not visible.” So they don’t have to go to sea on Trump’s orders, as the US president has suggested.

Trump did not publicly comment on whether the submarines would be nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed after a social media spat with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. He also did not specify where the submarines would be stationed, only saying they would be stationed in"appropriate regions."

Asked if the submarines were already close to Russia, the US president told Newsmax: “Yes, they are closer to Russia.” When the word “nuclear weapons” is mentioned, he pays attention, Trump said. “And I say we better be careful, because that is the ultimate threat.”

Meanwhile, war criminal Vladimir Putin announced on Friday the start of mass production of the nuclear-capable hypersonic missile"Orezhnik". According to him, the missiles could be deployed in Belarus by the end of this year. Belarus is a close ally of Russia and a neighbor of Ukraine.