RAF fighters intercept Russian bombers west of Shetland

A Russian Blackjack bomber over Scotland being shadowed by an RAF Tornado F3 in a past incident. Picture: RAF

The Typhoon fighters met the two Blackjack bombers flying from the direction of Norway and escorted them away from UK airspace.

Aircraft from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire were also despatched as a precaution but were not required to intercept the Russian planes.

The RAF said that the bombers did not enter UK airspace.

It is the latest of a series of recent encounters between RAF fighter jets and Russian aircraft.

Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth were scrambled to intercept two Blackjack bombers in two similar incidents in October and November 2015.

Russian “Bear” strategic bombers were also intercepted after being spotted north of Scotland in May 2015.

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