Russia conducts observation flights over US

FAIRFIELD, Calif., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Russian aviation inspectors will conduct observational flights over the United States through Saturday amid increasing concerns over the U.S. and European Union economic sanctions placed on Russia and the threat of a new Cold War.

The head of Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said the flight will be conducted under the Treaty on Open Skies and will happen within 2,640 miles of Travis Air Force Base as a means to promote military transparency. U.S. military officials will be onboard to ensure the flights are conducted within the parameters of the treaty.

"Within the framework of the international Treaty on Open Skies a group of Russian inspectors plans to conduct an observation flight on a Russian Tupolev Tu-154M-LK-1 observation aircraft over the territory of the United States," said Sergei Ryzhkov.

Last month, U.S. observers flew over parts of Russia to view the country's military equipment.

"Most of the world has no idea this treaty even exists," Navy Cmdr. Chris "Half" Nelson, who oversaw the Russia mission in November, told Stars and Stripes. "Whenever I mention that Russians fly aircraft over the U.S. taking pictures, it blows people's minds."

The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in March 1992 and allows 34 participating countries to observe military activities.