RUSSIA scrambled its warplanes to intercept US B-52 bombers flying over the Baltic Sea today.

The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed SU-27 fighters had been dispatched above neutral waters near the Russian border around 7am UK time.

4 Russia has scramble fighter jets to intercept American B-52 bombers, pictured, over the Baltic Sea (file pic) Credit: Reuters

4 The nuke-ready bombers were intercepted by Russian Su-27 fighter jets Credit: Alamy

Russian state media said its jets "accompanied the [US plane] until it retired from the Russian border".

It is believed the bombers took off from Estonia to take part in a Nato exercise dubbed Opertaion Saber Strike.

The US sent several of the giant nuclear-capable planes to operate from Gloucestershire's RAF Fairford last week.

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Up to 800 US airman were deployed to the UK to take part in war games in the Baltic, Arctic and along the Russia border.

Following their arrivals, the US Air Force said: "Training with allies and joint partners improves coordination between allies and enables the US Air Force to build enduring relationships necessary to confront a broad range of global challenges."

Last week Royal Navy warships were called to tail a Russian anti-submarine ship steaming through the English Channel.

Two Brit ships raced to shadow three Russian vessels racing north towards the Dover Strait last Tuesday.

HMS Mersey was called from Portsmouth to watch over the Severomorsk anti-submarine frigate.

4 B-52 bombers arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire earlier this month

4 The nuclear bombers are taking part in Nato exercises in Eastern Europe

It was later joined by HMS Iron Duke as the Brit sailors watched over their Russian counterparts.

Lieutenant Commander George Storton, HMS Mersey’s Commanding Officer, said: “[We were] ready to respond within a matter of hours to this tasking.

“This is routine business for the Royal Navy, and HMS Mersey herself is well-versed in this role with this being the fourth such operation in the last two months.”

The 163 metre-long Severomorsk was joined by intelligence ship Vasily Tatishchev and a Russian tug.

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