RAF Typhoons have been scrambled to intercept two Russian bombers heading towards UK airspace, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The jets were dispatched from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Wednesday afternoon following the security alert.
An RAF spokesman said the situation was "on-going" and was not uncommon. "We have Typhoons up on a quick reaction alert," he said.
The UK's airspace extends 12 miles from the UK coastline.
The RAF has intercepted Russian military planes several times in the past 12 months.
In November two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack bombers were escorted by Typhoon jets after being detected flying over the Atlantic.
( Source )