RAF Intercepts Russian Bombers Near UK ‘Area Of Interest’
Two Russian Blackjack bombers were intercepted by the RAF over the North Sea as they were approaching a UK “area of interest”, the RAF has confirmed.
Two RAF Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland on Monday morning.
An RAF spokesman said a “variety of friendly nation fighters” initially monitored the Russian aircraft before the RAF moved to intercept them.
The Russian aircraft did not enter sovereign UK airspace, he said. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said the threats facing the UK were “intensifying”.
He said: “We will not hesitate in defending our skies from acts of aggression.”
He said the RAF tracked the Russian aircraft “every step of the way” and would continue to police UK and international airspace.
Two Belgian F-16s were also scrambled in the same incident, Belgian media reported.
