RAF Typhoon jets scramble to intercept unidentified aircraft approaching UK airspace as tensions grow with Russia

 RAF jets were today scrambled by military chiefs to intercept 'unidentified aircraft' off the coast of Britain as tensions continue to grow with Russia.

Multiple Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray and a Voyager fuel tanker from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire were all involved in the mission today.Quick reaction alerts (QRAs) normally see RAF crews shadow Russian military aircraft flown near UK airspace, although the nationality of the aircraft today is not known.

An RAF spokesman told MailOnline today: 'Quick reaction alert Typhoon fighters from RAF Lossiemouth, supported by a Voyager Tanker from RAF Brize Norton, have been launched against unidentified aircraft approaching the UK area of interest. We will not be offering any additional detail on this ongoing operation until complete.'

The UK Defence Journal claimed that the aircraft involved in the incident - first reported at 10.50am - were Russian, but this has not been confirmed by the RAF. 

A file photograph issued by the Ministry of Defence of a Typhoon fighter jet

UK Defence Journal editor George Allison said the Voyager tanker was 'squawking' or transmitting code 1321 which means it is conducting a Nato air policing mission.

This type of mission 'aims to preserve the security of Alliance airspace', with Mr Allison saying that at least three bombers were in the air along with three tankers.He added that an A-50 aircraft was also involved – and while two Portuguese F-16s were also seen launching from Lossiemouth, they were in fact headed to Iceland.

The RAF often intercepts aircraft approaching the 'UK area of interest'. In November 2021, jets were launched in response to Russian TU-160 Blackjack strategic bombers.

Officials said at the time the fighters escorted the Russian aircraft out of the 'area of interest', and that the bombers did not enter UK airspace.

Multiple Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray were involved in the mission today

It comes after Boris Johnson yesterday told Moscow that it would face immediate UK sanctions 'the moment the first Russian toe-cap' crosses into Ukraine.

The Prime Minister visited Kiev to warn that Ukrainians would put up a 'fierce and bloody resistance' if Vladimir Putin invaded.

During a joint press conference with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, he insisted that the UK would take instant action in the event of an incursion.

Mr Johnson warned Mr Putin to 'step back' as he said the world must face up to the 'grim reality' of more than 100,000 Russian troops massed at the border.

President Zelensky encouraged Mr Johnson to go further as he said 'preventative sanctions' against Russia could halt a further ramping up of tensions.

Boris Johnson, pictured in Kiev yesterday, told Moscow that it would face immediate UK sanctions 'the moment the first Russian toe-cap' crosses into Ukraine

Russia denies it is planning an invasion but has said it could take unspecified military action unless its security demands are met.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken told Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov that it was time for Moscow to withdraw troops if it was sincere in not planning to invade.

A Russian warplane has breached the airspace of Estonia – where hundreds of British troops are based – in a suspected move to test Nato defences.

It came after Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, warned that Russia was conducting military operations 'on a scale never seen before'.