British fighter jets were to monitor a Russian reconnaissance plane flying close to British airspace, the Defense Secretary said in London on Friday, just days later. NATO jets were mobilized when Russian aircraft were spotted over the Baltic Sea and off the coast of Norway.
Two Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland followed the Russian Bear-F aircraft as it flew over the North Sea on Thursday, the ministry said.
“At no time was it able to penetrate UK sovereign airspace,” it added.
The Bear-F, also known as the Tupolev Tu-142, is a maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft.
The Typhoons were supported by a Voyager tanker.
“Our adversaries should have no doubt about our steadfast resolve and our formidable ability to protect Britain,” Armed Forces Secretary Luke Pollard said.
“The Royal Navy and the RAF (Royal Air Force) have once again shown that they are ready to defend our country at a moment’s notice and I pay tribute to the professionalism and courage of those involved in these latest operations ”, he added.
The Royal Navy also shadowed Russian military ships sailing through the English Channel this week, the Ministry of Defense said.
It added that it was the second time in three months that Russian ships and aircraft were detected within a week of each other.
WPA Pool, Getty Images
The number of incidents involving Russian and Western aircraft has increased in recent months The Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier this week Italy and Norway distorted jets after Russian aircraft were spotted over the Baltic Sea and along the Norwegian coast.
The Italian air force has intercepted a Russian Coot-A aircraft over the Baltic Sea, NATO Allied Air Command said in a social media post. Norwegian Air Force F-35s have identified several Russian aircraft flying in international airspace off the country’s coast, NATO said.
In September, Japan said yes fighter planes used flares to warn a Russian reconnaissance plane to leave northern Japanese airspace.
In JulyThe United States intercepted Russian and Chinese aircraft in international airspace off the coast of Alaska. In February 2024, the US detected four Russian fighter planes fly in the same area. More Russian aircraft were spotted Be able to And February 2023.
