RAF fighter jets were launched to intercept a Russian military aircraft over the North Sea on Thursday.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that two Typhoon jets from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland were deployed to monitor a Russian Bear-F reconnaissance aircraft.
The aircraft was detected in the UK’s “area of interest” but did not enter sovereign airspace, according to an MoD spokesperson. The operation was part of the RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert, which maintains high readiness around the clock to safeguard UK skies.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard commented on the incident, stating, “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.”
This incident comes amid heightened vigilance as Russian military activity near NATO member states continues to test defence readiness. Vladimir Putin’s forces are believed to be probing Western responses as the war in Ukraine persists.
The Typhoons, supported by a Voyager refuelling aircraft, demonstrated the RAF’s capacity to react swiftly to such events. Meanwhile, in the English Channel, the Royal Navy has also been actively monitoring Russian naval movements.
In recent days, HMS Iron Duke and the tanker RFA Tideforce shadowed a Russian naval group led by the frigate Admiral Golovko. Accompanying the frigate were the oceanographic research vessel Yantar and the support tanker Vyazma. British forces tracked the vessels as they navigated the Channel, with the operation later handed over to the French Navy.
A second Russian group, consisting of the frigate Neustrashimy and the tanker Akademik Pashin, was also monitored by British assets as it travelled towards the Baltic.
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To think, that Bear was probably intercepted by Phantoms and Lightnings once.