RAF Typhoons scrambled to intercept Russian bombers near Shetland 

Two Russian TU 160 Blackjack aircraft photographed by the French airforce during a similar incident in Septemebr 2016
Two Russian TU 160 Blackjack aircraft photographed by the French airforce during a similar incident in September 2016

Royal Air Force jets were scrambled to intercept nuclear-capable Russian bombers over the North Atlantic. 

The aircraft were scrambled  after two Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers were spotted approaching UK airspace near the Shetland islands on Thursday morning.

The bombers flew from the northeast and passed along the west of Ireland and France before turning around before reaching the Spanish coast.

A Royal Air Force spokesman said:

“We can confirm that quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby scrambled to monitor two Blackjack bombers while they were in the UK area of interest. At no point did the Russian aircraft enter UK territorial airspace.”

A photograph of a Russian Tu-160 Blackjack intercepted by the French Air Force in September
A photograph of a Russian Tu-160 Blackjack intercepted by the French Air Force in September Credit: AFP PHOTO / French Air Force

The French airforce said in a separate statement that it scrambled two Mirage fighters as the bombers approached Brittany after passing Ireland.

A Spanish F-18 fighter joined the escort over the Bay of Biscay before the Russian aircraft turned around and returned north on the same route.

The RAF says it scrambles jets in response to probing flights by Russian aircraft several times a year.

Tu-160 Blackjacks are supersonic strategic bombers designed to carry both nuclear and conventional bombs. Since 2015 Blackjacks flying from bases in Russia have taken part in long-range bombing missions over Syria. 

In September last year Norwegian, British, French, and Spanish fighters were scrambled in succession when two Blackjacks flew from the Arctic to the Bay of Biscay.

The Russian ministry of defence confirmed that two bombers had carried out a "planned air patrol" over international waters. 

"At some stages of the flight the Tu-160s were accompanied by foreign aircraft, including pilots of the British air force, for whom escorting Russian aircraft and naval vessels is for some reason always considered an exceptional event and the main news of the day," the ministry said in a statement.

"All flights by the Russian air force are carried out strictly in accordance with international rules on the use of neutral airspace and seas, and without violating the borders of other countries," the statement added. 

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