Pictured is a Russian Blackjack Tupolev Tu-160 long-range bomber.
RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoon aircraft scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth to monitor two Russian Blackjack Tupolev Tu-160 long-range bombers approaching UK airspace.
The RAF worked closely with NATO partners to monitor the jets as they passed through a variety of international airspace, before they were intercepted by the RAF in the North Sea.
Subsequently, our fighters escorted the Russian Blackjacks north, out of the UKs area of interest. At no time did the Russian bombers enter UK sovereign airspace.
The Russian Military aircraft did not talk to air traffic control making them a hazard to all other aviation.
The RAF routinely intercept, identify and escort Russian aircraft that transit international airspace within the UK’s area of interest and continue to be on call; 24/7, 365.