An aerial view of the Pentagon just over the river from Washington. (Jason Reed/Reuters)A Russian surveillance plane soared through secure airspace over Washington on Wednesday, presumably collecting intelligence as it traveled near the Pentagon, the Capitol and other government buildings, two U.S. officials said. The Russian Air Force Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft made the flight through the Treaty on Open Skies, which Russia, the United States and 32 other nations have signed. According to the treaty guidelines, U.S. airmen are aboard the Russian jet observing when an Open Skies flight occurs. “So from my perspective, it gives them a significant advantage.”The United States carries out similar surveillance flights through the treaty while using an OC-135B, an Air Force observation jet.

Source: Washington Post August 09, 2017 21:56 UTC