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Further on atRAF jets intercept Russian bomber aircraft off Cornwall
Ministry of Defence says Typhoon fighters scrambled to escort planes spotted in international airspace off Cornwall
9:42AM GMT 19 Feb 2015
Two RAF Typhoon fighters were scrambled on Wednesday evening to escort Russian long range bombers flying off Cornwall, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The Russian Tupolev TU-95 bombers, known as Bears,
were picked up in international airspace to the north west of Britain at round 6.30pm and escorted as they flew south, then turned around and flew off north.
The interception of the Bears comes a fortnight after similar aircraft flew into the English Channel, prompting the Government to demand an explanation from the Russian ambassador.
David Cameron said Moscow appeared to be "trying to make some sort of a point".
"I don't think we should dignify it with too much of a response," he said.
The Ministry of Defence in London said the Typhoons had been scrambled from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
A spokesman said:
“RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter aircraft were launched yesterday after Russian aircraft were identified flying close to UK airspace.
The Russian planes were escorted by the RAF until they were out of the UK area of interest. At no time did the Russian military aircraft cross into UK sovereign airspace.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... nwall.html
SeeMeanwhile, a television channel owned by Russia's defence ministry broadcast a separate video showing Nato jets including RAF Typhoons flying alongside a Russian bomber.
TV Zvezda said one of its correspondents had filmed the footage from inside a Bear bomber.
The channel said the Bear had been a neutral zone on the border with Nato airspace when it was intercepted.
It was not immediately clear when the video was filmed, but the MoD said it was not the latest incident on Wednesday.
The Russian video shows a French Mirage and RAF Typhoons. It also says the Bear was intercepted by German Eurofighters.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... nwall.html