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.
“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.”
Probably an over reaction but Is it just me or does that sniff of the sort of language we hear from the likes of Belarus or downmarket pocket dictators when trying to big themselves up. Prefer a more understated delivery myself. Brings back slightly uncomfortable memories of when at Art School circa 1980 I produced a satirical animated video of a future Britain boasting about being the technological Leader of the Third World in that very 2nd WW-esq propaganda voice over that so inspired Orwell to create the Ministry of Truth. Something I hope would not actually come to pass but with Musk doing his best Dr Strangelove impression and dictators and madmen of various hues making a comeback the World seems to be headed for.
Hoped we were still an island of sanity but hearing endlessly that patronising term ‘working people’ parroted by the Govt it does feel like we are increasingly seen as mere manipulatable numbers by a very British grey functionary version of a Chief Controller as we take our own Ealing comedy path towards finding a future in this strange new dangerous World Order while trying our best to talk up our chances.
Why don’t the Navy stop illegal immigrants they could be Russian coming in to England just saying
As opposed to all the Russians who come here on private jets and buy up Kensington and Chelsea?
You could be Russian yourself?
MI5 and MI6 don’t trust anybody. Remember Philby.