UPDATE 1-US anti-missile shield threatens Russia-general

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A top Russian general on Monday criticised a U.S. decision to place an anti-missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic as a threat to Moscow, news agencies reported.

"Our analysis shows that the placing of a radio locating station in the Czech Republic and anti-missile equipment in Poland is a real threat to us," Lieutenant-General Vladimir Popovkin, commander of Russia's space forces, said.

A U.S. State Department spokesman said on Sunday that Poland and the Czech Republic had agreed to start detailed discussions with Washington on hosting anti-missile defences.

The United States is investing around $10 billion a year in developing the missile shield system, which combines a long-range radar system with rockets to shoot down hostile missiles in space.

"It's very doubtful that elements of the national U.S. missile defence system in eastern Europe were aimed at Iranian missiles, as has been stated," Popovkin said.

Russia has repeatedly opposed the project, brushing aside U.S. assurances that the system is not aimed at Moscow.

Last year Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov attacked the missile shield as an attempt to change the strategic balance between Russia and the West.

[MOSCOW/Reuters/Finance.cz]