03 May 2023 , 06:59
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RAF Typhoons have been scrambled north of Scotland after a Russian spy plane was seen lurking near UK airspace.
The Russian aircraft, a Tu-142 Maritime Patrol plane, flew through international airspace over the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic Ocean and was detected on Sunday.
Typhoons were accompanied by a Norwegian f-35A fighter as part of a NATO response.
The RAF later confirmed that the Russian aircraft did not breach UK sovereign airspace at any point during the incursion.
Quick reaction alerts, like the one seen Sunday, are deployed to intercept unidentified aircraft as it flies in the UK's area of interest.
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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.
A Norwegian fighter plane was also involved in the interception (RAF)"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."
Last month, a Russian fighter tried to blast an RAF plane out of the sky over the Black Sea, a US defence official said at the time.
What would have been an act of war was narrowly avoided after the missile malfunctioned with Moscow's Su-27 fighter.
Britain's RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint was carrying a crew of up to 30 when the Russian pilot thought he had permission to fire, according to a secret US intelligence report.
Last year Defence Secretary Ben Wallace revealed some details about the incident and suggested the missile was launched by accident due to a "technical malfunction".
But it has come to light that the clash last year was far more serious than thought, after the secret documents were leaked online.
If a Russian missile had taken down the Rivet Joint, the UK and its Nato allies may have been compelled to go to war.