RAF jets and Navy scrambled as Russia plane and warship spotted close to UK

RAF Typhoon fighter jets have been scrambled after a Russian military aircraft was detected flying near UK airspace.

The aircraft, identified as a Bear-F reconnaissance plane, was monitored as it flew over the North Sea within the UK’s area of interest. However, the Russian plane did not enter UK sovereign airspace at any point.

The incident follows increased activity involving Russian military assets near British waters.

Over the last week, the Royal Navy has tracked Russian vessels navigating through the English Channel.

These operations involved British warships, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft keeping a close watch to ensure the vessels acted safely and posed no threat.

Two Typhoon jets from RAF Lossiemouth, supported by a Voyager refuelling aircraft, intercepted the Russian plane as part of the RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert system.

This readiness protocol maintains fighter jets on standby 24/7 to defend UK airspace.

Meanwhile, Royal Navy frigate HMS Iron Duke and the tanker RFA Tideforce shadowed three Russian ships – the frigate Admiral Golovko, the research vessel Yantar, and the support tanker Vyazma – as they transited the Dover Strait.

The ships had been monitored by the Norwegian Navy before being handed over to British forces, who later passed the task to the French Navy.

HMS Iron Duke then tracked a second group of Russian vessels, consisting of the frigate Neustrashimy and the tanker Akademik Pashin, as they made their way towards the Baltic.

The monitoring was handed over to Dutch naval forces as the ships entered the North Sea.

Additionally, a Russian spy vessel, Yantar, was yesterday passing through the Irish Sea.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, commended the swift and coordinated response by the UK’s armed forces.

He warned: “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.”

The latest incident is the second in three months in which both the Royal Navy and RAF have detected Russian ships and aircraft in proximity to British waters and airspace within the same week.

Each underscores the continued vigilance required to safeguard the UK from potential threats, military chiefs have said.