Russia’s strategic nuclear forces chief says its new weapons will be capable of “neutralizing” any potential missile defenses.

Col. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, the Strategic Missile Forces’ commander, said Wednesday in remarks carried by Russian news agencies that the nation’s military planners have taken into account the emerging potential of NATO’s U.S.-led missile defenses.

The Kremlin long has described the U.S. missile shield as a top threat to Russia, dismissing Washington’s claim that it is intended to fend off an Iranian missile threat.

Karakayev said that while the existing U.S. missile defense isn’t capable of deflecting a missile attack Russia is capable of launching, the American missile shield will become more advanced in the future.

He added that Russia already has taken steps that would “guarantee neutralizing” any prospective missile defense.

(AP)