RAF scrambles Typhoons to respond to Russian aircraft near Nato airspace

The Royal Air Force has scrambled fighter jets after Russian aircraft was spotted flying near Nato airspace, the RAF said.

"This evening, RAF Typhoons from 140 EAW in Estonia were scrambled to intercept a Russian Navy Tu-134 and 2x Su-27 "FLANKER' Bs flying close to @NATO airspace," the Air Force said on Twitter on Tuesday night.

The Russian aircraft "failed to comply with international norms by not liaising with regional airspace control", the tweet read.

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The RAF also posted pictures of a Typhoon jet following the Russian Navy aircraft in close proximity.

The photos of the jets soaring above the clouds are clear enough to see the words 'Baltic Fleet' written on the side of the Tupolev Tu-134 Russian aircraft in an antique Cyrillic font.

The Typhoons were assembled from the 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) in Estonia.

The RAF has been deployed in the Baltic country since the beginning of March, conducting the Nato Air Policing mission.

On 14 June, Typhoons from 140 EAW were scrambled in a similar scenario, to intercept a Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-20 Coot-A and two Su-27 Flanker Bs flying close to Nato airspace over the Baltic Sea.

And earlier this month, RAF Typhoons intercepted multiple Russian aircraft twice in less than 24 hours.

On 8 June, Typhoons and Swedish Air Force Gripens were scrambled to intercept a Russian air force spy plane, being escorted by a Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft flying close to Nato and Swedish airspace.

Fighter jets from RAF Lossiemouth's 140 EAW made the intercept with the Swedish jets.

On 9 June, Typhoons were scrambled to intercept an AN12 'CUB' and an AN72 'COALER' which were travelling south from mainland Russia in the direction of the Kaliningrad Oblast.

It means that for three consecutive weeks, RAF fighter jets have been scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft flying close to Nato airspace. 

This comes as a major conference is set to take place in London on Wednesday focused on Ukraine's recovery after Russia's invasion.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to announce £2.35bn in bank loan guarantees to bolster Kyiv's rebuild.

Mr Sunak is expected to hail the country's "defiance" as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's troops use a counter-offensive to push back the Kremlin's forces.