As the head of the Nuclear Risk Reduction Center Sergei Ryzhkov stated, that the US mission is to make an observation flight over the Russian Federation on August 19-24 as part of the Treaty on Open Skies on the OC-135B airplane.

During the flight along the agreed route, Russian specialists on board the observation aircraft will monitor the strict observance of the agreed flight parameters and application of the monitoring equipment stipulated by the contract.

The OC-135B observation aircraft is a type of airplane which is not designed to use 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.