MOSCOW. Feb 27 (Interfax) - A Russian Antonov An-30B plane will make an observation flight over the territory of Turkey under the Open Skies Treaty, Sergei Ryzhkov, head of the Russian national nuclear threat reduction center, said on Monday.
"A Russian group of inspectors plan to make an observation flight over the territory of Turkey on a Russian Antonov An-30B plane under the international Open Skies Treaty. The observation flight, which will have a maximal range of 1,900 kilometers, will take place in the period between February 27, 2017 and March 3, 2017 using the Eskisehir airfield," the report said.
In the course of the flight, which will follow an approved route, the Turkish specialists aboard the plane will monitor strict observance of the approved flight parameters and the use of the observation equipment envisaged by the Treaty.
Observation flights under the Open Skies Treaty promote greater transparency in the military activities of the signatory countries.
This will be the third observation flight conducted by the Russian Federation over the territories of the countries that are signatory to the treaty in 2017.