RAF scrambles fighter jets to intercept Russian Blackjack bombers over the North Sea after they refused to respond to air traffic control
The British Typhoons were launched from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland, after two Russian jets repeatedly ignored UK air traffic control
BRITISH Typhoons were this afternoon scrambled to intercept Russian bombers over the North Sea.
The two Blackjack jets, capable of carrying nukes, were escorted by RAF planes launched from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland, after the Russians refused to respond to air traffic control.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson vowed to protect Britian in the face of the "very serious" military threat posed by Russia.
He said: "We will not hesitate to continually defend out skies from acts of aggression."
The news of Russian planes near the British coast is the latest example of aggression by Vladimir Putin’s administration.
Relations with Mosow have worsened since the Salisbury Novichock attack on former KGB spy Sergei Skirpal and his daughter Yulia in March.
WHAT IS THE RUSSIAN BLACKJACK BOMBER?
The supersonic Blackjack jets that approached the UK today are the last strategic bombers built for the Soviet Union.
The Tupolev Tu-160, reported with the name 'Blackjack' by NATO countries, first flew in 1981 as a Cold War competitor to American bombers.
An upgraded version of the aircraft were accepted into the Russian Air Force in 2005, now capabale of carrying nuclear warhead missiles.
The Blackjack is manned by a crew of four - the pilot, co-pilot, bombadier and defensive systems officer.
It's wingspan is 55.7m and has a top speed of Mach 2.05 (1,380mph).
The Tu-160 has two internal bays for carrying 40,000kg worth of bombs, and two rotary launchers capable of holding six Raduga cruis missles or 12 Kickback short-range nuclear missiles.
Last month RAF fighter jets were scrambled to intercept Russian planes flying over the Romanian Black Sea.
The pair of Typhoons reportedly rushed to head off two Russian aircraft, believed to be Su-30 fighters.
While just a week earlier the RAF had to ward off six Russian bombers flying near NATO airspace in the Black Sea.
Russian media claimed the war planes were diverted towards the Crimean Peninsula.
The RAF confirmed that Eurofighter typhoon jets were launched from a Romanian base after Russian Su-24 Fencer planes were spotted.
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