US-Russia deal on Afghan supplies takes effect

US: The United States can begin flying troops and arms to Afghanistan through Russian airspace beginning Sunday after the July deal between the two countries' leaders.

"As of September 6, this agreement gives us another option to choose from in our flight planning process," a defense official told AFP.

In early July, US President Barack Obama sealed an agreement with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev allowing Washington to supply Western forces in Afghanistan via Russia.

The accord permits up to 4,500 military flights per year.

Previously Russia had only allowed the United States to ship non-lethal military supplies across its territory by train.

Washington, Sunday, AFP