The US just let a Russian spy plane fly over the Pentagon - and Trump’s vacation home is next

A Russian surveillance plane soared through secure airspace over Washington on Wednesday, presumably collecting intelligence as it travelled near the Pentagon, the Capitol and other government buildings, two US officials said.

The Russian Air Force Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft made the flight in accordance with the Treaty on Open Skies, which Russia, the United States and 32 other nations have signed. The unusual treaty established criteria under which countries can make unarmed observation flights over the soil of other treaty members in an effort to promote transparency and international arms control efforts, according to the State Department.

The Capitol Police issued an alert Wednesday that warned that an “authorised low-altitude aircraft” would enter restricted airspace between 11am and 3pm. The alert did not state who owned the plane, but said it “will be large and may fly directly over the US Capitol.”

“This flight will be monitored by US Capitol Police and other federal government agencies,” the alert concluded.

A Defence Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations, confirmed that the flight alluded to was Russian and operating in the area through the treaty.

The flight, first reported by CNN, is expected to be followed by another one Wednesday evening that flies over President Donald Trump’s property in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he is vacationing. According to the treaty guidelines, US airmen are aboard the Russian jet observing when an Open Skies flight occurs.