Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov claimed Monday that living bacteria that may not be from Earth were found on the surface of the International Space Station (ISS), according to RT.

The microorganisms reportedly were not there at the launch of the ISS in 1998, so most likely "flew from somewhere in space" and might have extraterrestrial origins.

According to the report, the microorganisms were discovered on the surface of the ISS during routine swab tests of the space station's hull.

"Bacteria that had not been there during the launch of the ISS module were found on the swabs," Shkaplerov said.

"So they flew from somewhere in space and settled on the outside hull."

The bacteria are now being taken back to Earth for further study after initial tests aboard the orbiting station showed they are harmless to humans.