MOSCOW. Dec 19 (Interfax) - The deployment of Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad region is Russia's response to the European missile defense system, and while this response is not the most efficient, it is not the only possible one, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Iskander is not the only way of our defense and response to the threats that we see around us. Iskander is only one of the elements of a possible response, and it is far from being the most efficient one, although this is the most efficient weapon in the world in its segment," Putin said at a press conference in Moscow on Thursday.
Western media reported earlier that Russia had deployed Iskander missile systems in the Kaliningrad region. The Russian Defense Ministry told journalists on Monday that "it is true that the Western Military District's missile and artillery forces are armed with tactical missile systems Iskander."
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said also that Russia could deploy Iskander missiles in any part of its territory.