A European missile defense system may threaten Russian satellites, Space Defense Forces chief Lt. Gen. Oleg Ostapenko said on Thursday.

“Ground- and sea-based missile defense systems can be used not only as anti-missile but also anti-satellite weapons,” he said at a missile defense conference in Moscow.

The deployment of missile defense components in different parts of the world will make it possible to intercept spacecraft at any point of their orbit.

“In this context we regard the creation of effective air and space defense systems as a key element of modern warfare,” the general said.