From RIA Novosti:  Commander of Russian Space Forces Lt. Gen. Oleg Ostapenko outlined on Friday Russia’s proposals for the future European missile defense network. . . . .

The general said it would be logical and efficient to create a network of "sector" defenses where each member state or group of states would assume responsibility for intercepting and destroying ballistic missiles over assigned territory.

Russia is ready to provide a "missile shield" over Eastern Europe, the Black Sea, the Barents Sea and the Baltic Sea, Ostapenko said, adding that a decision to deploy missile defenses must be coordinated by a joint command center on the basis of information provided by a joint data processing center.

"In order to ensure a reliable and uniform exchange of information it is necessary to set up a joint data processing center which would obtain, process and relay target data to a joint fire control center," he said.

Russian military specialists must be part of teams operating these centers on rotation basis, the general added.  (photo: Russian Ministry of Defense)

Image: armyrecog%204%2028%2011%20Oleg%20Ostapenko.jpg