TYPHOON jets based in Scotland have been scrambled to monitor two Russian planes approaching UK airspace.

The Russian Blackjack long-range bombers were not talking to air traffic control, making them a hazard to all other aviation, say the Ministry of Defence.

The RAF Lossiemouth-based fighter jets intercepted the bombers over the North Sea between 40 and 100 nautical miles from the coast on Thursday according to the RAF.

They added the Russian aircraft were in the UK “area of interest”, although they did not enter UK territorial airspace.

It comes at a time of heightened tension between the west and Russia, with four similar incidents occurring in the past year.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Russian bombers probing UK airspace is another reminder of the very serious military challenge that Russia poses us today.

“We will not hesitate to continually defend our skies from acts of aggression. Once again the rapid reactions of our RAF have demonstrated how vital our Armed Forces are in protecting Britain.”

Identical Russian aircraft were scrambled to intercept two Russian bombers as they approached the UK over the North Sea in January.

The crew of the planes were again not talking to air traffic control, and came within 35 miles (56km) of UK airspace at the closest point, the Ministry of Defence said.