Moscow has threatened to deploy tactical missiles in Belarus and on its own borders if talks with Washington on European missile defense plans fail, a senior diplomatic source told Interfax on Monday.
The source said Moscow might set up Iskander missiles in Belarus and in Russia's Krasnodar region. It has previously threatened to deploy missile launch pads in Russia's Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad.
"This would allow us to counter the threats to Russia's strategic forces in case U.S. missile defense components are deployed close to our borders," the source said.
Russia sees the U.S. missile defense system in Europe, which is not due to be fully installed until 2020, as a threat to its strategic nuclear potential. Moscow has threatened a new "arms race" with Washington if its concerns are ignored.