RAF Typhoon fighters have been launched against aircraft “approaching the UK area of interest” for the second day in a row.
They were again dispatched from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, with support from a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
An RAF spokesperson said: “Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighters from RAF Lossiemouth, supported by a Voyager Tanker from RAF Brize Norton, have been launched against aircraft approaching the UK area of interest.
“We will not be offering any additional detail on this ongoing operation until complete.”
According to Reuters, Russian “strategic bombers” were in the air above neutral waters in the northeast Atlantic.
The RAF confirmed that yesterday’s incident was to intercept and escort four Russian Bear aircraft.
It said it “routinely” intercepted, identified and escorted Russian aircraft that “transit international airspace within the UK’s area of interest”.
An area of interest includes international airspace for which a nation holds some responsibility, such as air traffic control services.