British jets scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft '20 times'

RAF jets have been scrambled 20 times in the last year to intercept Russian aircraft over British airspace, it was revealed today.

The revelation came as defence chiefs released photographs of two Russian Blackjack bombers intercepted over Scotland.

Two RAF Tornado F3 fighters from 111 Squadron were scrambled from RAF Leuchars in Fife in the early hours of March 10.

They intercepted the Russian planes near Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

The Tornados shadowed the bombers as they flew south before they turned north, just short of the coast of the North.

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Eventually the Russians left UK airspace and, after four hours, the Tornado crews stood down and returned to Leuchars.

Wing Commander Mark Gorringe, commander of 111 Squadron, said: “This is not an unusual incident and people may be surprised to know that our crews have successfully scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft on more than 20 occasions since the start of 2009."