RAF fighter jets had to be scrambled off of the north coast of Scotland after a Russian military plane was seen operating close to UK airspace.
The Typhoon fighters left from RAF Lossiemouth to intercept the Russian aircraft on Sunday April 30.
The Russian plane was approaching the north of Scotland and was flying in international airspace over the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic Ocean.
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Both the UK Typhoon jets and a Norwegian F-35A fighter aircraft were launched as part of a NATO response to the Russian aircraft - a Tu-142 Maritime Patrol aircraft.
The air force confirmed that at no point did the Russian aircraft enter UK sovereign airspace, the Daily Record reports.
Incidents like this - known as quick reaction alerts - are launched to intercept unidentified aircraft flying in the UK’s area of interest.
An RAF Typhoon pilot paid tribute to the close contact they have with NATO in the successful mission, saying: "Today's scramble demonstrated the close working relationships we have with our NATO colleagues.
"After scrambling to intercept the Russian aircraft, we were in close contact with RAF Battlespace Managers, who directed us towards the aircraft and relayed orders throughout, ensuring we could confirm where they were and what they were doing at all times."
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