Russian Blackjack bombers

For the third time in six days RAF jets have scrambled to intercept Russian military planes off the Western Isles.

Today’s (Thurs) culprits were two Russian Tu-160 Blackjacks - long range supersonic strategic bombers.

Careful to stay within international airspace they tracked a similar southerly course from the Arctic Ocean towards the Hebrides this morning.

Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth and Coningsby followed them on a heading down the Irish coast with a French air force jet taking over shadowing duties as they explored over the Bay of Biscay.

The Russian planes - nicknamed White Swan by their air crews - returned north this afternoon via the Western Isles monitored by the RAF before passing by northern Norway to ,

Similar incidents took place on Wednesday and at the weekend where Russian anti-submarine warfare aircraft skirted around the Hebrides and down to the French coast. During the long range flight, they refuelled in the air from a Il-78 tanker aircraft.

Russian military planes also Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance aircraft intercepted by U.S. and Canadian jet

Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, Chief of the Air Staff, said: ‘These Russian bombers do not comply with international air traffic rules, are a hazard to airliners and are not welcome in our airspace. RAF Typhoons, alongside our NATO allies, ensured these Russian aircraft posed no hazard.’

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense of Russia said they were undertaking training exercises over neutral waters.

He said: “The flights were carried out in strict accordance with the international rules for the use of airspace.”

The total length of the route was about 10 thousand kilometers.

Russian Blackjack bombers buzz around the Hebrides

12 March 2020