(VOVworld) – Russia has described the deployment of missile launchers in Romania as part of a US missile defense system as a violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty).

Missile launch pads on the deck of the US ship in the Black Sea port of Constanta, Romania. (Photo: Vadim Ghirda/ AP)

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Russia has noted that the Aegis Ashore system deployed in Romania includes MK-41 multi-functional launchers, which US Navy vessels use to launch both interceptors and intermediate-range Tomahawk guided missiles.

She said this is a direct violation of INF Treaty provisions.

Last Friday Romania and the US completed the installation of components of the US new missile defense system at Deveselu military base in Bucharest.