Six Royal Air Force jets were scrambled to intercept Russian Aircraft heading for the north-west of Ireland.
The British Ministry of Defence said they were tracked heading for the northwest of Scotland.
An RAF spokesperson said it was a “routine response” coordinated with several other NATO allies.
Cockpit footage from one of our #QRA Typhoons, showing one of the Russian aircraft #TeamLossie intercepted yesterday.
It truly was a team effort, both within the @RoyalAirForce and as part of @NATO.
Find out more ▶️ https://t.co/HDou9Ziq1F pic.twitter.com/FPe20PJo1F
— RAF Lossiemouth (@RAFLossiemouth) March 8, 2020
The RAF launched three Typhoon aircraft from its Quick Reaction Alert along with two pairs of Tornadoes from air bases in Lossiemouth and Coningsby.
A Voyager tanker - an air-to-air refuelling aircraft - was also deployed from a base in Brize Norton to support the mission.
The number of Russian jets involved in the incident is unclear.
Royal Air Force Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby intercept Russian aircraft approaching UK Air Space on the 7th March 2020.It is believed they were Tupolev Tu-95 Bears, which are used both as strategic bombers and long-range maritime patrol planes.
An RAF spokesperson said: “We can confirm that RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft were launched today from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby.”
“This was a routine response to Russian aircraft approaching UK air space and was coordinated with several other NATO allies.”
Royal Air Force Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby intercept Russian aircraft approaching UK Air Space on the 7th March 2020.In a tweet, RAF Lossiemouth said: "At no point did these aircraft enter UK sovereign airspace.
It added: "We are ready to respond to any unidentified aircraft and potential airborne threats, 24/7/365."
RAF planes were dispatched to stop Russian military planes entering UK airspace a number of times last year.
At no point did these aircraft enter UK sovereign airspace. The Russian aircraft were shadowed by our Typhoons, along with QRA aircraft from our @NATO partners in Norway and France.#SecuringTheSkies #WeAreNATO#QRA 3/4 pic.twitter.com/A6vVJINefT
— RAF Lossiemouth (@RAFLossiemouth) March 7, 2020
