Anton Morozov claimed to have seen calculations showing the missile can range the U.S. West Coast and that North Korea can bring a nuclear warhead back to earth intact. / AP-Yonhap

By Park Si-soo

North Korea is preparing to fire a long-range missile "in the near future" which is believed to be able to reach the west coast of the United States, said a Russian lawmaker after a visit to Pyongyang.

Anton Morozov, a member of the international affairs committee of the Duma, the lower house of the Russian Federal Assembly, visited Pyongyang with two other lawmakers on Oct. 2-6, during which they took part in "high-level" meetings, according to Russia's RIA news agency.

"They are preparing for new tests of a long-range missile. They even gave us mathematical calculations they believe prove their missile can hit the west coast of the United States," Morozov told the RIA on Friday. "As far as we understand, they intend to launch one more long-range missile in the near future. And in general, their mood is rather belligerent."

Morozov didn't mention the type of missile that could be tested. He also didn't specify whether the North had given him detailed information about the test.

His remarks give weight behind earlier analysis of many experts and Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies that the nuclear-armed North would conduct a missile test on or around Oct. 10. The day marks the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the ruling Korean Workers Party and a day after the Columbus Day holiday in the United States.

Trump: 'Only one thing will work' to tackle N. Korean nuclear crisis 2017-10-08 11:23  |  North Korea S. Korea keeps close tabs on N. Korea's possible provocations 2017-10-07 10:45  |  North Korea N. Korea denounces plan for rotational deployment of US strategic weapons in S. Korea 2017-10-07 19:03  |  North Korea North Korea has a history of celebrating the day with military provocations, but not always.

A senior CIA analyst, speaking at a conference in Washington this week, said the North Korean government likely would stage some kind of provocation on Oct. 10, according to Reuters.

Reuters reported that Morozov is a member of the LDPR, a right-wing populist party. It casts itself as an opposition party, but toes the Kremlin line on matters of international affairs.

Describing the meetings with North Korean officials, Morozov said they "displayed serious determination and bellicose rhetoric," the RIA reported. "The situation, of course, demands the swiftest intervention of all interested states, particularly those represented in the region, in order to prevent wide-scale military action."