British Typhoon jets took off from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland yesterday after a squadron of Russian Blackjack bombers were detected flying off the Shetland Islands.
The Typhoons intercepted the Russian aircraft and escorted them, though at no time did the Blackjacks enter UK airspace.
There have been several instances of Russian jets flying near or along UK and Irish coastlines in recent times.
The Irish Government expressed ‘real concern’ about such actions.