From “dead economy” to “Dead Hand,” the war of words between US President Donald Trump and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev — an ally of Vladimir Putin — has descended into Cold War-era nuclear brinkmanship.

What began with Trump saying that both India and Russia could "take their dead economies down together" soon spiralled out of control.

Medvedev, who currently serves as the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, invoked the "Dead Hand"—a Cold War-era system designed by Moscow that would automatically launch a retaliatory nuclear strike if the Soviet Union —present-day Russia — were attacked, even if its leadership were incapacitated.

"As for the talk about the 'dead economies' of India and Russia, and 'entering dangerous territory' - maybe he should recall his favourite movies about 'the walking dead,' and also remember how dangerous the so-called 'Dead Hand,' which doesn't even exist, could be," Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel.

In the same Truth Social post where Trump announced the levies on Indian imports to the US, he also took a potshot at both Medvedev and Russia, saying, "Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he's still President, to watch his words. He's entering very dangerous territory!"