Russia may deploy its newest Iskander tactical missiles in neighbouring Belarus in response to US plans for a missile shield in eastern Europe, Russian media quoted a senior general as saying yesterday.

Asked if the missiles could be deployed in response to the US shield, Major-General Vladimir Zaritsky, head of Russia's artillery and missile forces, was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS news agency: "Why not? Under the right conditions and with the corresponding agreement of Belarus, it is possible."

"Any action inevitably causes a reaction," Zaritsky said. "And this is just the case with the elements of US air defense in the Czech Republic and Poland."