Fighter jet pilots from RAF Lossiemouth have been scrambled twice in a week to intercept Russian bombers.
The latter aircraft approached UK airspace, under the cover of darkness, within four days of each other earlier this month.
Typhoon jets from the Moray base were scrambled shortly before midnight on October 12 before being called into action again at about 9pm on October 16.
The Lossiemouth planes made contact with their Russian counterparts, who were flying off the coastline, before escorting them away from the region. It is understood the Russian Air Force planes were inside a “UK area of interest”.
A Voyager from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire provided refuelling support during the operations. Residents in Orkney spotted the large Airbus plane circling the islands on October 16 while it waited for the Typhoon pilots.
RAF Lossiemouth pilots are constantly on alert to intercept foreign aircraft which are potentially intruding into UK airspace.
It is not the only time this month that the Russians have tested the UK’s resolve. A flotilla of warships made their way through the English Channel this week on their way to Syria under the watchful eye of the Royal Navy.
However, Russian officials have told British military chiefs that flights by their bombers on the edge of UK airspace should not be considered provocative.
High-ranking Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials travelled to Moscow last December to hold talks about the amount of Russian planes flying close to the UK.
An MoD spokesman said: “Quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft from Lossiemouth intercepted Russian military aircraft and escorted them while they were in the UK area of interest.
“At no point did the Russian aircraft enter UK territorial airspace. Air-to-air refuelling support is often provided by a Voyager aircraft from RAF Brize Norton.”
