Moscow - The commander of Russia's strategic missile forces reiterated threats Tuesday that Moscow could re-target rockets at US missile defence objects if these are deployed in eastern Europe.

Colonel General Nikolai Solovtsov made the comments as Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov was expected in Poland, which has agreed to host the US system. The talks with Polish Premier Donald Tusk in Warsaw on Wednesday will focus on the system.

"I cannot rule out that in the event that top military-political leaders take such a decision, our ICBMs could in the future target both the missile defence facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic and other similar facilities," Solovtsov was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying.

Poland agreed with the United States last month for 10 interceptor missiles to be based on its territory by 2012 as part of the US shield.

The deal was signed after months of drawn-out negotiations as Russia's war with Georgia frayed ties with other neighbouring post- Soviet states.

Moscow vehemently opposes the US missile shield as a threat to its nuclear deterrent and security. Washington in several rounds of defence talks could not assuage Moscow with its argument that the system is to protect against threats from "rogue states" such as Iran. (dpa)