Russian military airplanes to fly above Turkish territory

ISTANBUL

DHA photo

Russian military inspectors will begin a survey flights this week above Turkey under the international Open Skies Treaty, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today, according to RIA Novosti.

The survey flight, which will start in the Central Anatolian province of Eskişehir, will be conducted by a group of Russian experts from today until Nov. 16. Its maximum range will reportedly be 1,500 kilometers.

Russian and Turkish specialists will operate surveillance equipment on board aircraft during the flight as set out in the international Open Skies Treaty.

This is the 35th survey flight this year made by Russia over the territories of the Open Skies Treaty member states.

The Open Skies Treaty, which entered into force on Jan. 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.