Canada's PM Harper stands on the front deck of the HMCS Kingston on Eclipse Sound near the Arctic community of Pond Inlet
Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper stands on the front deck of the HMCS Kingston on Eclipse Sound near the Arctic community of Pond Inlet, Nunavut August 24, 2014. Harper is on his annual tour of Northern Canada. Picture taken August 24, 2014. Reuters/Chris Wattie

Russia is currently undertaking a military monitoring mission over Canada. This is part of the Treaty on Open Skies, signed by 34 countries, including Canada, the United States, Russia and 31 other countries. Interestingly, the Russian mission is taking place at a time there is considerable tension and strain in relations between the two countries because of the Ukraine crisis.

According to Sergei Ryzhkov, head, Russian Center for Reducing Nuclear Threat, "The international Treaty on Open Skies gives the mandate for a team of Russian inspectors to carry out observation flights on a Tu-154M-LK1 aircraft over Canada and the United States". This will be the 32nd and 33rd Russian observation flights over the territories of signatory states in 2014, reports Space Daily of Russia.

The Russian flight over the U.S will be from October 20 to 25 and is expected to cover 4,250 kilometres. The routes for the Russian aircraft will be approved by the participating parties and there will be Canadian specialists on board to monitor the surveillance equipment and also for ensuring compliance with the treaty provisions.

Treaty on Open Skies

Under the TOS treaty, signatories can collect information about each other's armed forces through unarmed surveillance flights over the military bases and other installations. The aerial mission is Intended to build mutual trust, confidence and increased transparency. The idea is to end reduce hostility, diminish mutual mistrust unlike the Cold War, and add more openness on each other's military capabilities and activities.

Accordingly, the Russian inspectors started their flying mission across Canada in an unarmed surveillance aircraft from Monday. They will cover nearly 5,400 kilometres before the mission ends on Saturday.

According to Johanna Quinney, a spokeswoman for Canada's Defence Ministry, the Russian aircraft will be accompanied by Canadian military experts during the entire mission. Quinney said Canadian military monitors had conducted two missions in Russia in the past month, reported National Post.

Amidst Tension

Canada has slapped sanctions on Russia and has deployed warplanes, naval vessels and military personnel in conflict areas. Canada also suspended its military co-operation with Russia. But many consider this mission as a positive step when there is considerable estrangement between Russia and the NATO countries. The aerial missions are bound to enhance mutual understanding by giving participants direct access to information from areas of mutual concern.