US, Ukraine to Hold Observation Flights Over Russia

 

The United States and Ukraine will hold observation flights over Russia as part of the Treaty on Open Skies.

   The United States and Ukraine will hold observation flights over Russia as part of the Treaty on Open Skies, the head of the Russian National Center for Reducing the Nuclear Threat said.

Sergei Ryzhkov said on Sunday the joint US-Ukrainian mission will take place on July 20-25 on board the US Air Force OC-135B observation aircraft.

Ryzhkov further specified that Russian specialists on board the aircraft will monitor the strict adherence to flight parameters and the use of equipment allowed by the treaty.

The Boeing OC-135B Open Skies plane is not equipped with any weapons and only uses internationally-approved observation technology allowed by the treaty.The Treaty on Open Skies, signed in 1992, established a regime of unarmed aerial observation flights over the territories of its 34 member-states to promote openness and transparency of military activities.

The treaty is designed to enhance mutual understanding and confidence by giving all participants a direct role in gathering information about areas of concern to them.

Russia ratified the Treaty on Open Skies on May 26, 2001.