Russia to launch regular observation flights over U.S.territory

 Russian inspectors will start regular observation flights over U.S. territory Monday under the Open Skies Treaty, the Russian Defense Ministry has said.

"The observation flights will be carried out between Sept. 26 and Oct. 1, from the Open Skies airfield Travis (in California) with a maximum range of 4,250 kilometers," the ministry said Monday.

It said Russian aircraft with U.S. experts on board will monitor U.S. compliance with the treaty.

The observation flights are part of the confidence-building measures in Europe after the Cold War under the international Open Skies Treaty, which was signed in March 1992 and took effect beginning 2002. The treaty has currently 34 state parties, including Russia and most NATO members.