Russia stated on Thursday that the establishment of a new U.S. ballistic missile defense facility in northern Poland will elevate the overall nuclear threat level and has been included on a list of Russian targets for potential elimination if deemed necessary.

The air defense installation, located in Redzikowo near the Baltic Sea, is part of a larger NATO missile defense initiative and was inaugurated on November 13.

“This represents yet another overtly provocative action in a series of profoundly destabilizing measures taken by the United States and its allies within the North Atlantic Alliance in the strategic domain,” remarked Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry.

“This undermines strategic stability, heightens strategic risks, and consequently raises the overall nuclear threat level.”

The U.S. facility at Redzikowo is integrated into NATO’s missile defense system known as “Aegis Ashore,” which the alliance claims is capable of intercepting short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

“Considering the nature and extent of the threats posed by such Western military installations, the missile defense base in Poland has long been designated as a priority target for potential destruction, which can be carried out if necessary using a variety of advanced weaponry,” Zakharova added.

The NATO missile defense system comprises installations in Poland and Romania, along with U.S. Navy destroyers stationed at a naval base in Spain and an early warning radar system located in Turkey, as reported by NATO.