RAF scrambles fighter jets to intercept Russian 'Bear' bombers as they pass close to Scotland

14 August 2023, 15:51

Russian bombers were intercepted by RAF Typhoons
Russian bombers were intercepted by RAF Typhoons. Picture: Alamy/Press release

By Will Taylor

Russian bombers have been intercepted by the RAF after they flew to the north of Scotland.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Typhoon fighter jets scrambled from their Lossiemouth base to meet the long range maritime patrol "Bear" bombers on Monday morning as they flew in international airspace.

They were flying close to Nato's northern air policing zone and were shadowed by the jets until they left Britain's "area of interest".

Armed forces minister James Heappey said: "RAF crews at Lossiemouth maintain a constant watch over UK airspace and are always ready to take action at a moment's notice to keep our country safe.

Read more: Ukraine hits two key bridges into Crimea as Zelenskyy claims Moscow targeted blood transfusion centre

"Pilots launched in their Typhoon jets to intercept two Russian long-range bombers this morning, monitoring them as they passed north of the Shetland Islands, ready to counter any potential threat to UK territory."

Dutch and Danish F-16 fighters also joined in tracking the bombers. The Dutch said aircraft will be intercepted if they do not provide a flight plan or communicate.

The Typhoon scrambled to intercept the Bear bomber
The Typhoon scrambled to intercept the Bear bomber. Picture: Press release

The intercepts are not uncommon and do not automatically represent an escalation between Russia and the West.

They were frequent even before Vladimir Putin's ill-fated and failing invasion of Ukraine.

But such incidents do nothing to cool tensions between Nato and Moscow.

One of the Typhoon pilots, who was not named, said: "It's really satisfying to know we’ve been able to make a successful intercept, maintaining the integrity of UK and Nato airspace.

Read more: Putin critic Alexei Navalny jailed for a further 19 years on 'extremism' charges

"When the alarm for a scramble happened in the early hours of the morning, the adrenaline kicked in.

"Working in tandem with ground control operators, and with air-to-air refuelling from an RAF Voyager, we were able to stay on task until the mission was complete, and the target aircraft departed the UK's area of interest."

The Ministry of Defence said the aircraft were used for reconnaissance and attacking submarines.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Rick Buckler

Rick Buckler, drummer of The Jam, dies aged 69 - former bandmate Paul Weller confirms

Kitchen knives on a magnetic bar holder on the wall

Round-edged blades safer alternatives than sharp-pointed kitchen knives, research shows - in bid to tackle knife crime

A large sinkhole has forced the closure of the high street in the Surrey village of Godstone

Homes evacuated and major incident declared after 65ft sinkhole appears in Surrey village

Lydia Mugambe

United Nations judge forced woman to work as slave after tricking her to come to UK, court hears

Craig and Lindsay Foreman

Did motorbike couple's 'happiness' survey prompt arrest on spying charges in Iran?

Abdirahman Ibrahim has been convicted of murder after driving into the back of Liam Jones

Killer driver mows down e-bike rider to 'teach him lesson' for doing wheelies

The Vatican says Pope Francis is being treated for 'bilateral pneumonia'

New scans show Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs but Vatican says he remains ‘in good spirits’

Meghan

Meghan Markle could face 'legal action' from Spanish town as her new luxury brand logo faces resemblance to coat of arms

The father of murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif is reportedly being protected by a 'Muslim gang'

Sara Sharif's father protected by 'Muslim gang' in jail after being attacked with jagged tuna lid

Zhenhao Zou is accused of raping three women in London and 7 in China, whilst they were unconscious

PhD student 'discussed rape role-play' with alleged victim, trial hears

Exclusive
Senior Tories including Suella Braverman and Michael Gove have criticised the judge's comments

Senior Tories blast 'out of touch' judge for 'ludicrous attack' on Starmer’s migrant remarks

Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, died in an airstrike, Hamas said

Bodies of youngest Israeli hostage Kfir Bibas and his brother and mother to be handed over as family ‘in turmoil’

Lisa Smith, 43, was with a female friend when she was killed outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent

Man suspected of fatally shooting wife outside pub on Valentine's Day rang friend and said 'she's dead'

Carry On legend Julian Holloway dies aged 80

Carry On legend Julian Holloway dies aged 80 after 'brief illness' as tributes pour in

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned 'any appearance by armed forces under some other flag' in Ukraine would be 'completely unacceptable', in a dig at a peace plan floated by Keir Starmer.

Keir Starmer’s Ukraine peacekeeping plan ‘completely unacceptable’, Russia tells US in Saudi Arabia talks

Rita Lambourne, 58, was “fatally wounded” at her home in Bayencourt South, Bexhill

Man charged with axe murder of woman in own home