RAF jets have been scrambled to intercept Russian bomber planes that spent more than five hours skirting the edges of British airspace.

The Independent understands the Russian Tu-160 “Blackjack” bombers entered the UK’s area of interest from the north-east at around 10am, flying between the Shetland and Faroe islands, then down the west coast of Ireland and over the Bay of Biscay.

French and Spanish aircraft took over the interception but the two planes then turned around to head towards Russia, flying back into the British military’s “patch” while heading north. The bombers passed the coast of the Outer Hebrides shortly after 3pm.

Russian warships move through English Channel under Royal Navy watch

A Royal Air Force spokesman said: “We can confirm that quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby scrambled to monitor two Blackjack bombers while they were in the UK area of interest. At no point did the Russian aircraft enter UK territorial airspace.”

The Typhoons were supported by a Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft from RAF Brize Norton for the mission, which lasted several hours.

Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-160s are the world's largest combat aircraft and have been modernised for the ability to carry long-range nuclear cruise missiles. It was unclear if the planes circling the UK on Thursday were armed.

The incident is the latest RAF deployment in response to Russian military manoeuvres, following the tracking of Russian warships that passed through the English Channel on their way to bomb Syria last year.

HMS St Albans (foreground), escorting Russian Warships Petr Velikiy (centre) and the Admiral Kuznetsov (background), as they pass through the English Channel on their way back to Russia (PA)

Russian bombers have skirted British airspace on numerous occasions, including last February when two Russian Blackjack bombers were escorted by the RAF.

Vladimir Putin has been accused of Cold War-style “brinkmanship” over a series of similar incidents with Nato aircraft across Europe, with more than 100 Russian planes intercepted in 2014 alone.

Both Russia and Nato have held extensive military drills, sparking accusations of “warmongering” directed at both sides.

The Russian embassy in London and Russia’s ministry of defence could not be reached for comment.

Update, 11 January: