Typhoon jets sortied from RAF Lossiemouth to monitor two Russian bombers approaching UK airspace. The Russian Blackjack long-range bombers were not talking to air traffic control, making them a hazard to all other aviation, say the Ministry of Defence. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Once again the rapid reactions of our RAF have demonstrated how vital our Armed Forces are in protecting Britain.”

According to a release received in the last hour, the RAF worked closely with NATO partners to monitor the jets as they passed through a variety of international airspace before they were intercepted by the RAF over the North Sea. The Ministry of Defence said in a statement: “Subsequently our fighters escorted the Russian Blackjacks north, out of the UK’s area of interest. At no time did the Russian bombers enter UK sovereign airspace.