British planes were sent to monitor a Russian reconnaissance plane flying near UK airspace, the Defense Secretary said in London on Friday, just days after NATO aircraft were mobilized when Russian planes were spotted over the Baltic Sea and off the coast of Norway.
The ministry said two RAF Typhoon aircraft at Lossiemouth in Scotland followed the Russian Bear-F as it flew over the North Sea on Thursday.
She added: “At no time was she able to enter the UK’s sovereign airspace.”
The Bear-F, also known as the Tupolev Tu-142, is a maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
The Typhoon aircraft were supported by a Voyager refueling aircraft.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said: “Our adversaries should be in no doubt about our steadfast determination and tremendous ability to protect the UK.”
He added: “The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have once again demonstrated their readiness to defend our country at any moment, and I pay tribute to the professionalism and courage of those involved in these recent operations.”
The Ministry of Defense said the Royal Navy also monitored Russian military ships passing through the English Channel this week.
She added that this is the second time in three months that Russian ships and aircraft have been discovered within a week of each other.
Two Typhoon aircraft and a Tornado aircraft fly near RAF Lossiemouth on November 20, 2014 in Lossiemouth, Scotland. WPA rally, Getty Images
Accidents involving Russian and Western aircraft have doubled in recent months against the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier this week, Italy and Norway sent planes after Russian planes were spotted over the Baltic Sea and along the Norwegian coast.
The Italian Air Force intercepted a Russian Coot-A over the Baltic Sea, NATO Air Command said in a social media post. NATO said that Norwegian Air Force F-35 aircraft spotted several Russian aircraft flying in international airspace off the country’s coast.
In September, Japan said its warplanes used flares to warn a Russian reconnaissance plane to leave northern Japanese airspace.
In July, the United States intercepted Russian and Chinese aircraft in international airspace off the coast of Alaska. In February 2024, the United States spotted four Russian warplanes flying in the same area. More Russian aircraft were spotted in May and February 2023.
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