RAF jets track Russian military aircraft flying over North Sea as Navy shadows warships in Channel

RAF fighter jets have been scrambled when a Russian military aircraft was detected flying close to UK airspace, while Royal Navy vessels monitored Russian warships in the English Channel.

Two Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland tracked a Russian Bear-F reconnaissance aircraft as it flew over the North Sea.

The incident occurred as British warships, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft kept watch on two separate groups of Russian vessels sailing through the Channel – one heading for the Atlantic and another towards the Baltic.

This marks the second time in three months that the Royal Navy and RAF have detected Russian ships and aircraft within a week of each other.

The RAF Typhoons were supported by a Voyager refuelling aircraft as part of the Quick Reaction Alert system, which maintains aircraft at high readiness. The Russian aircraft was detected in the UK’s area of interest but at no time entered UK sovereign airspace.

The Quick Reaction Alert system operates from bases in both Scotland and England, with aircraft ready to defend and protect UK airspace 24/7, 365 days a year.

In the Channel, HMS Iron Duke and tanker RFA Tideforce monitored three Russian vessels, led by the new frigate Admiral Golovko.

The Russian group included the oceanographic research vessel Yantar and supporting tanker Vyazma, having been initially tracked by the Norwegian Navy.

The British vessels, supported by an RAF P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, followed the Russian ships through the Dover Strait and Channel.

Monitoring duties were then handed over to the French Navy as the vessels continued their journey. The coordinated operation ensured the Russian ships acted in a safe and non-threatening manner throughout their passage through British waters.

As the Golovko continued her journey, HMS Iron Duke shifted focus to shadow a second Russian group.

This consisted of the frigate Neustrashimy and her support ship, tanker Akademik Pashin, which were travelling to their home port in the Baltic.

Iron Duke maintained contact with the pair through the Channel and into the North Sea before transferring monitoring duties to a Dutch warship.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard said: “Our adversaries should be in no doubt of our steadfast determination and formidable ability to protect the UK.”

Minister for the Armed Forces, 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.