British fighters and warships scrambled after Russian spyplanes spotted off UK coast

The air and sea military alarm this week was the second time in three months that British troops detected Russian ships and aircraft appearing within the same period.

British fighter jets and warships were scrambled to "defend" against incoming Russian spyplanes as one of Moscow’s intelligence-gathering vessels also prowled off the coast.

Typhoon fast jets were deployed from RAF Lossiemouth on Thursday as Russian Bear-F warplanes flew over the North Sea on a suspicious course - as the Royal Navy also went on high alert.

The UK jet teams are on constant standby as a “quick reaction” scrambling squad ready to see off incoming Russian spy planes trying to probe UK defences.

Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard praised the UK military's ability to "defend" against the Russian threat.

The air and sea military alarm this week was the second time in three months that British troops detected Russian ships and aircraft appearing within the same period.

It happened amid rising tensions over the UK’s support of Ukraine in its war against the Russian invasion and fears of a military escalation with Moscow.

Sources told the Mirror Russia’s “probing missions” are aimed at testing the RAF’s response times and monitoring the UK’s security arrangements.

But another chilling reason could be to try and pinpoint the location of maritime communication cables linking the UK and Europe to the US.

One security source told the Mirror: “The cables under the sea are vital for communications and although there are contingencies, sabotaging them would cause major problems for the UK and Europe.

“It could affect the banking system, trade and crucially the markets.”

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

The Russian reconnaissance plane had been detected approaching the UK’s coastal boundaries and at no time was it able to enter UK sovereign airspace.

Russia has regularly made threatening air and sea incursions towards the UK in recent years but such high traffic from Mosow by both sea and air is rare.

It is also suspected that Russia has sent submarines on missions off the UK coast to try and pinpoing vital underwater communications cables and map their location.

News of the RAF intervention mission emerged today after the Royal Navy shadowed Russian military vessels passing through the English Channel over the past week.

The Typhoons, which were supported by a Voyager refuelling aircraft, are part of the RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert team.

British warships, helicopters, and long-range maritime patrol aircraft have also kept an eye on two separate groups of Russian ships as they sailed in opposite directions.

One flotilla was bound for the Atlantic and the other towards the Baltic.

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

Among the Golovko’s fleet was oceanographic research vessel Yantar - also believed to be a “spy ship” and supporting tanker Vyazma.

All three had been tracked by the Norwegian Navy before British forces took over.

The UK force supported by an RAF P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, followed the ships through the Dover Strait and Channel before handing over monitoring duties to the French Navy.

After handing the monitoring of the Golovko over to the French navy Iron Duke took over shadowing duties of the second Russian group.

Frigate Neustrashimy and her support ship, tanker Akademik Pashin were returning to their home port in the Baltic.

Iron Duke remained shadowed the pair back through the Channel and into the North Sea before handing over 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.

“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.”