MOSCOW, November 12 (RIA Novosti) – Russian military inspectors will begin a survey flight this week above Turkey under the international Open Skies Treaty, Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Monday.
A group of Russian experts will conduct the survey flight over the Turkish territory in an Anotonov An-30B aircraft during the period from November 12 and November 16, a spokesman said.
“The flight will start from the [northwestern] Turkish Eskisehir airfield on a previously approved route. Its maximum range will be 1,500 kilometers [930 miles],” he added.
During the flight, Russian and Turkish specialists will operate surveillance equipment on board of the aircraft as set out in the international Open Skies Treaty.
This will be the 35th survey flight this year made by Russian specialists over the territories of the Open Skies Treaty member states. Russia ratified the treaty in May 2001.
The Open Skies Treaty, which entered into force on January 1, 2002, establishes a regime of unarmed aerial observation flights over the territories of its 34 member states to promote openness and the transparency of military forces and activities.