Despite the fact that the Tu-154M surveillance aircraft was conducting its mission in accordance with the Open Skies Treaty, with US personnel aboard, several media outlets still described it as a "spy plane."
For example, Politico's take on the situation was that "Russian spy plane trolls Trump with flight over D.C., New Jersey."
Some social media users concurred with this assessment, regarding the observation flight as trolling.
This is epic-level Russian trolling. But a note on Open Skies, because I see there's moderate twitter freakout. https://t.co/Te7hYtkzCQ
— Ali Watkins (@AliWatkins) 9 августа 2017 г.
Others were simply amused by the whole thing, cracking jokes about the event and the US government.
Did the Russian spy plane get a good picture of the giant inflated Trump chicken?
— Annette Bailey (@annettefb) 10 августа 2017 г.
First this Chicken balloon flies inches from Whitehouse, then a Russian plane flies over Whitehouse & Capitol. Deep State & CIA at work.
— Sharon Mc (@SharonM44754993) 9 августа 2017 г.
Those who weren’t particularly fond of US President Donald Trump also used this opportunity to express their feelings towards him.
Russian Spy Plane flies over Washington. Was there a banner flying behind it? "I just called… to say… I love you."
— The Episcocrat (@TheEpiscocrat) 10 августа 2017 г.
Did the Russian spy plane get a good picture of the giant inflated Trump chicken?
— Annette Bailey (@annettefb) 10 августа 2017 г.
It should be noted that many social media users were quick to point out that the flight was performed in accordance with an international treaty and was not an infringement of American airspace or democracy.
https://t.co/cTx4pykkcC#GeorgeBush signed #TreatyOnOpenSkies 1992 permitting #Russian spy plane to fly over #NJ https://t.co/qjVWxtOj7B
— Christine💋 (@USAloveGOD) 9 августа 2017 г.
Some of them however were not so pleased that it was going on at all.
The US just let a Russian spy plane fly in US airspace over DC…wow
— Erik O. Polnett (@erikpolnett) 10 августа 2017 г.
What was this Russian plane doing? Was it spying on us or FOR TRUMP? https://t.co/V59HSBidd2
— Samantha Sanderson (@SamSanderson123) 10 августа 2017 г.
