UK and French jets scrambled as Russian bombers fly over the North Sea

RAF jets were today scrambled to the North Sea where they intercepted two Russian planes approaching UK airspace, the Ministry of Defence has said.

Military jets from the UK and France were sent to monitor the Russian Blackjacks long-range bombers on Thursday.

They were not talking to air traffic control, making them a hazard to all other aviation, a statement from the MoD said.

The Russian jets were monitored by the RAF and Nato partners as they passed through international airspace before being intercepted over the North Sea.

“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,” the statement said.

Colonel Cyrille Duvivier, a spokesman for the French Air Force, told Reuters one or several Russian planes were detected and that the actions were not hostile.

"The usual response mechanisms were triggered: Rafale fighters took off in the late morning from the base of Saint-Dizier with a refuelling plane and positioned themselves for possible intervention," Duvivier said.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williams said the activity today is “another reminder of the very serious military challenge that Russia poses us today.

"We will not hesitate to continually defend our skies from acts of aggression.

"Once again the rapid reactions of our RAF have demonstrated how vital our Armed Forces are in protecting Britain."