Hungary, Italy to Conduct Observation Flight Over Russia

Specialists from Hungary and Italy will carry out a joint observation flight over the territory of Russia under the Treaty on Open Skies on June 15-19, Sergei Ryzhkov, head of Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center has announced.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The flight will be carried out using the Antonov An-26 (Curl) observation aircraft.

"In the course of the flight on the agreed route, Russian specialists on board the observation aircraft will monitor strict adherence to the agreed flight parameters and the use of surveillance equipment allowed by the treaty," Ryzhkov said.

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 came into force on January 1, 2002. Its concept was re-introduced by President George H.W. Bush in 1989, following an original proposal by President Eisenhower in 1955.

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