RAF fighter jets were dispatched in response to a potential Russian bomber nearing the UK, as per recent reports. Two RAF Typhoons took off from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland today, accompanied by a Voyager refueling jet departing from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, heading towards Shetland.
According to sources cited by The Telegraph, a Russian warplane, unidentified at the time, lingered outside British airspace, prompting the deployment of British fighter jets for monitoring under NATO’s broader security measures. The Typhoons eventually returned to base as interception was deemed unnecessary.
This incident follows a previous encounter in 2020 when six Typhoons intercepted two Russian Bear-F Tu-142 long-range aircraft approaching the UK. Recent weeks have also seen Russian warships and submarines passing near UK waters.
In a recent statement, Defense Secretary John Healey disclosed that UK and allied forces had tracked a Russian attack submarine and two spy submarines near critical undersea cables in the North Atlantic, emphasizing the need to deter Moscow’s “malign” activities. He criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for taking advantage of global distractions and labeled him as the primary threat to UK security.
Addressing Putin directly, Healey warned against any attempts to damage essential infrastructure, highlighting the serious repercussions such actions would entail. He further detailed recent joint efforts with Norway and other allies to address heightened Russian activities in the North Atlantic, including monitoring a Russian Akula-class submarine and two Gugi deep-sea research submarines.
Healey confirmed the deployment of British armed forces, including a Royal Navy warship and RAF P-8 aircraft, to track and deter any potential threats posed by the Russian vessels. The operation involved over 500 personnel, with RAF conducting numerous sorties using P-8 Poseidon aircraft and receiving support from allied nations like Norway.
The Ministry of Defence has been approached by The Mirror for further comments on the matter.