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Russia is conducting a military monitoring mission over Canada this week, despite strained relations and a suspension of military co-operation between the two countries because of the crisis in Ukraine.

The observation flight is being conducted under the auspices of the Treaty on Open Skies, which was signed by Canada, the United States, Russia and 31 other countries in 1992.

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Signatories are legally permitted to collect information about each other’s armed forces through unarmed surveillance flights over military bases and other installations.

The idea was born out of the end of the Cold War, and is intended to build mutual trust and confidence by promoting increased transparency and openness about each country’s military capabilities and activities.

Russian inspectors began flying across the country in an unarmed surveillance aircraft Monday and will cover nearly 5,400 kilometres before their mission concludes on Saturday. They will then do the same in the United States.