Russia to Hold Observation Flight Over Greece Under Open Skies Treaty

Russian experts will hold an observation flight over Greece on February 8-12, head of Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center Sergei Ryzhkov said Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Treaty on Open Skies establishes a program of unarmed aerial surveillance flights over the entire territory of its participants.

It was signed in March 1992 and became one of the major confidence-building measures in Europe after the Cold War. It entered into force on January 1, 2002, and currently has 34 members, including Russia and the majority of the NATO countries.

"An observation flight with the maximum range of 1010 kilometers [628 miles] will be carried out on February 8-12 from the open skies airfield of Nea Anchialos," Ryzhkov said.

The Russian an An-30B (NATO reporting name: Clank) aerial cartography aircraft will follow the route agreed with the observed side while Greek experts will control the order of application of sensors and compliance with the provisions stipulated in the treaty.

"The implementation of observation flights within the framework of three treaty contributes to increased openness and transparency in the military activities of the member states. This is Russia’s second observation flight over the member states’ territories in 2016," the official said.

The treaty allows its participants to openly gather information on each other's military forces and activities.

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