Typhoons scrambled over Russian Bear days after Navy shadowed 'carrier-killer' frigate
The Royal Air Force deployed Typhoon fighter aircraft to monitor a Russian Bear-F flying close to the UK's airspace.
Two fighters from RAF Lossiemouth were sent to keep an eye on the reconnaissance aircraft as it flew over the North Sea, although it did not enter UK airspace.
It comes a few days after the Russian navy frigate Admiral Golovko, armed with hypersonic anti-ship missiles, sailed through the English Channel whilst being monitored by HMS Iron Duke.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said: "Our adversaries should be in no doubt of our steadfast determination and formidable ability to protect the UK.
"The Royal Navy and RAF have once again shown they stand ready to defend our country at a moment's notice and I pay tribute to the professionalism and bravery of those involved in these latest operations."
This is the second time in three months that the Royal Navy and RAF have detected Russian ships and aircraft within a week of each other.
During their mission, the two RAF Typhoons were supported by a Voyager refuelling aircraft which was part of the RAF's Quick Reaction Alert.
The Bear-F, also known as the Tupolev Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, has been intercepted by the RAF before, including incidents in 2023 over the north of the Shetland Islands.
In the Channel, the Admiral Golovko, the oceanographic research vessel Yantar and supporting tanker Vyazma had to be observed by HMS Iron Duke and tanker RFA Tideforce.
The frigates were conducting counter-terrorism drills, and repelling air and sea drone attacks of a mock enemy, Russian state agencies reported.
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