Russian Bombers Intercepted by UK Jets After Ignoring Air Traffic Control, Says UK

UK fighter jets were scrambled on Sept. 20 to intercept Russian bombers over the North Sea after they reportedly ignored air traffic control.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) sent out Typhoon fighter plants “scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth to monitor two Russian planes approaching UK airspace,” according to a statement.

Pilots of the Russian Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjacks, which are long-range bombers, were not talking to air traffic control in the United Kingdom and made them a hazard in the area, said the RAF.

U.K. fighter jets were scrambled on Sept. 20 to intercept Russian bombers over the North Sea after they reportedly ignored air traffic control. (Royal Air Force)

“Russian bombers probing UK airspace is another reminder of the very serious military challenge that Russia poses us today,” said Gavin Williamson, the secretary of defense. “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.”

The air force worked with NATO partners to monitor the jets as they passed over international airspace before they were intercepted. The RAF jets then escorted the Russian planes out of the UK area of interest, and at no time did the Russian planes enter the country’s airspace.

“RAF QRA was launched today because the Russian military aircraft were not talking to air traffic agencies. The RAF routinely intercept, identify, and escort Russian aircraft that transit international airspace within the UK’s area of interest and continue to be on call” every day, the RAF statement concluded.

Other details about the encounter were not disclosed.

Russian Planes Near Alaska

On Sept. 11, two U.S. Air Force F-22 fighter planes (seen in the top video) intercepted two Russian TU-95 Bear long-range bombers as well as two Su-35 Flanker fighters near Alaska.  The four Russian planes were about 200 miles west of the state.

And on Sept. 1, two Tu-95 bombers were intercepted by American F-22 planes after passing into the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone south of the Aleutian Islands, Fox News reported.

Earlier this week, according to reports published on Sept. 17, Syrian anti-aircraft fire downed a Russian plane in Syria, with Russia saying that it came after an Israeli attack on Syrian positions. In all, 15 people died in the incident.

“As a result of the irresponsible actions of the Israeli military, 15 Russian servicemen were killed, which is absolutely not in keeping with the spirit of Russian-Israeli partnership,” said Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, spokesman for the Russian military, CNN reported. Israel expressed “sorrow” for the loss of life, blaming the regime of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

On Sept. 11, Russia also launched the largest military exercise in decades, according to Russian state-backed RT.com. The massive maneuvers, called Vostok-2018, involved about 300,000 Russian ground troops and tens of thousands of ships, planes, and ground vehicles.

Some communist Chinese military units are also taking part in the exercises.

RT reported that more 1,000 planes, drones, and helicopters were involved. Approximately 36,000 armored vehicles and 80 combat and support ships were also taking part.