According to Sergei Ryzhkov, head of the Nuclear Risk Reduction Center, within the framework of the implementation of an international treaty on the Open Skies, the Russian Federation plans to conduct an observation flight on a Russian observation aircraft AN-30B over the territory of the Turkish Republic.

The observation flight over Turkey will be carried out from 18 to 22 February 2019 from the Eskisehir Open Skies airfield. The maximum flight range will amount to1,900 km.

The Russian observation aircraft will fly along the agreed route, and the Turkey's representatives on board will monitor the use of special equipment and compliance with the provisions of the Treaty on Open Skies.

Observation flights within the framework of the treaty are carried out in order to promote greater openness and transparency in the military activities of the participating States, as well as to enhance security through strengthening confidence-building measures.

This is the second observation flight made by the Russian Federation over the territories of the states-members of the treaty in 2019.