Ukraine, US to make observation flight over Russia and Belarus

"The mission of the United States and Ukraine plans to make an observation flight over the territory of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation within the framework of the Treaty on the Open Skies on September 4-8," the press service of the Defense Ministry of the Republic of Belarus reported on Monday.

According to the press service, the observation flight will be performed with the purpose of monitoring the military activities in the territories of the observed states.

As reported, the preparations for the Zapad 2017 Russian-Belarusian military exercises are ongoing on the territory of Belarus. The active phase of drills will be held on September 14-20. At the moment, the equipment and troops are being deployed.

The exercises will involve 10,200 troops: 7,200 from the Armed Forces of Belarus and about 3,000 from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Up to 680 units of military equipment are expected to be used in course of the exercises.

ol