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RAF Typhoons 'escort' Russian bomber through UK airspace

A Russian Bear aircraft photographed from an intercepting RAF quick reaction Typhoon as it approached UK airspace. Credit: Sgt Fenwick/RAF/MoD Crown Copy/PA

RAF Typhoons intercepted a Russian Bear bomber as it approached UK airspace yesterday, the second flypast by aircraft from Vladimir Putin's air force in three days, the Ministry of Defence said.

The Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft, flying in international airspace was met by the fighters from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland and "escorted ... through the UK flight information region", an Mod spokeswoman said.

A Russian Bear aircraft photographed from an intercepting RAF quick reaction Typhoon as it approached UK airspace. Credit: Sgt Fenwick/RAF/MoD Crown Copy/PA

The intervention follows a similar incident on Wednesday when two Bear bombers were tracked over the North Sea as Nato radars picked up a series of Russian formations engaged in "significant military manoeuvres" ranging from the Black Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.