The Strategic Missile Forces chief said Monday that Russia would deploy multiple-warhead missiles in December, the same month a nuclear arms control treaty expires.

Andrei Shvaichenko’s comments were not new but were seen as a challenge because they came just as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Moscow, where efforts to replace the START I arms reduction treaty are on the agenda.

Russia disputes U.S. claims that the RS-24 missiles would violate the treaty.

(AP)