AIRCRAFT from Brize Norton were yesterday scrambled to provide assistance to fighter jets escorting Russian planes flying close to UK air space.

The Ministry of Defence tonight disclosed that the Royal Air Force (RAF) sent Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth, in northern Scotland, to meet the Russians and that Voyager aircraft from RAF Brize Norton were also sent to carry out air-to-air refuelling.

The Russian ‘Blackjack’ planes were escorted through international air space by the RAF while they were in the UK’s area of interest, the MoD said.

Squadron Leader Jim Calvert, one of the Typhoon pilots, said: “Given the Royal Air Force’s enduring commitment to secure the UK’s skies, yesterday’s sortie once again proved Typhoon’s capability to successfully scramble and intercept Russian long-range aviation.

“Protecting our skies is especially poignant in this 75th anniversary year of the Battle of Britain.

“Working together with ground-based radar and air-to-air refuelling aircraft today’s RAF continues to come together as a team to protect our country.”

The incident is the latest in a series of incidents involving Russian aircraft, warships and submarines that have triggered alerts close to British waters and air space.