As Sergei Ryzhkov, the head of the Nuclear Risk Reduction Center, stated the France's mission is to make an observation flight over the Russian Federation on April 22-26 as part of the Treaty on Open Skies on the C-130 airplane from the Kubinka airfield.

During the flight along the agreed route, Russian specialists on board the observation aircraft will monitor the strict compliance with the agreed flight parameters and the use of the monitoring equipment stipulated by the Treaty.

The C-130 observation aircraft is a type of airplane which is not designed for using any weapons. The aircraft and observation equipment installed on it (aerial cameras) underwent an international certification, in which Russian specialists took part, which precludes the use of technical means not covered by the Treaty.