LONDON: Britain’s Royal Air Force scrambled two fighter jets to intercept Russian strategic bombers near UK airspace on Monday, in another illustration of ongoing tensions.
The RAF confirmed that it sent Typhoon aircraft from the Lossiemouth base in Scotland on a “quick reaction alert” as two Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack bombers approached Britain.
“The Russian aircraft were initially monitored by a variety of friendly nation fighters and subsequently intercepted by the RAF in the North Sea,” the air force said. “At no point did the Russian aircraft enter sovereign UK airspace.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry said the pair of bombers flew over the Barents, Norwegian and North seas during a 13-hour training mission that covered neutral waters, in line with international norms.
“All flights by Russian aircraft are performed in strict accordance with international rules for using airspace without infringement on any countries’ borders,” the ministry said in a statement.
Encounters between Russian and NATO warplanes have become increasingly frequent as Moscow has demonstrated its resurgent military might.
Russia also has increased its navy’s presence in the Mediterranean and other areas.
Last week, the HMS Westminster, a Portsmouth-based Type 23 frigate, was ordered to intercept two Russian corvettes and two supporting vessels that neared UK waters en route to their Baltic base.
UK air force scrambles 2 fighters to intercept Russian jets
UK air force scrambles 2 fighters to intercept Russian jets
Pentagon readies 1,500 soldiers to possibly deploy to Minnesota, Washington Post reports
- The Army placed the units on prepare-to-deploy orders in case violence in the state escalates
The US Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to Minnesota, the Washington Post reported on Sunday, citing defense officials.
The Army placed the units on prepare-to-deploy orders in case violence in the state escalates, the Washington Post report said.
The move comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to use the Insurrection Act if officials in the state don’t stop protesters from targeting immigration officials.
“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Thursday.
The Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
