February 10, 2017 8.36 am This story is over 85 months old

Typhoon jets from RAF Coningsby scrambled to monitor Russian bombers

Typhoon jets from RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland were scrambled to ward off two Russian Blackjack bombers flying close to UK airspace. The Ministry of Defence said that the Russian aircraft were flying in an arc around the top of Scotland before passing to the west of Ireland. Although the bombers were flying…

Typhoon jets from RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland were scrambled to ward off two Russian Blackjack bombers flying close to UK airspace.

The Ministry of Defence said that the Russian aircraft were flying in an arc around the top of Scotland before passing to the west of Ireland.

Although the bombers were flying close to the UK, within our “area of interest”, the MOD confirmed that they had not actually crossed into British airspace.

An RAF spokesperson 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.”