The Ministry of Defence has said RAF fighter jets were scrambled to monitor Russian military aircraft which was close to the UK’s airspace.
The incident happened on Thursday and this is the second time within a week that Russian military aircraft and ships have been spotted close to the UK.
The MoD said Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth were monitoring Russian Bear-F warplanes flying over the North Sea.
In a statement they said, “The Russian reconnaissance plane had been detected in the UK’s area of interest and at no time was it able to enter UK sovereign airspace.”
“The Typhoons, which were supported by a Voyager refuelling aircraft, are part of the RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert,” the statement added.
“This sees aircraft in Scotland and England at high-readiness 24/7, 365 days a year, ready to defend and protect UK airspace.”
Luke Pollard, armed forces minister, said, “Our adversaries should be in no doubt of our steadfast determination and formidable ability to protect the UK.
“The Royal Navy and RAF have once again shown they stand ready to defend our country at a moment’s notice and I pay tribute to the professionalism and bravery of those involved in these latest operations.”
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