According to the head of the Russian National center for nuclear hazard reduction Sergey Ryzhkov, as part of the implementation of the International Treaty on Open Skies, a Russian group of inspectors plans to perform an observation flight on a Russian TU-154M LK-1 observation plane over the territory of France.

The observation flight over the territory of France will be performed from 21 to 25 September 2020 from the Open Skies airfield of Orleans-Brisi. The maximum flight range will be 2078 kilometers.

The Russian surveillance aircraft will fly along the route agreed with the observed party, and French specialists on board will monitor the procedure for using surveillance equipment and compliance with the provisions stipulated in the Agreement.

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.