Russia is monitoring a possible missile launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), news agencies reported on Friday, citing a deputy chief of the Russian armed forces.
"It is too early to say when North Korea could launch a missile -- this could happen any time," Lt. Gen. Alexander Burutin was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.
"Our monitoring facilities are on permanent alert, and we will trace the missile seconds after it is launched," he said.
Burutin warned that his country will intercept the DPRK ballistic missile if it flies in the direction of Russia, Xinhua reported.
"Our air defense, missile defense system and tracking system are fully equipped for this," Interfax quoted him as saying.
The United States and South Korea claimed that the DPRK has moved a long-range ballistic missile to a west coast launch site in preparation for a possible test launch within days.
The DPRK conducted a series of short-range missile launches after its May 25 nuclear test, threatening to beef up its deterrence potential to counter what it calls hostile U.S. policies.