RAF jets scrambled to intercept Russian bombers less than 35 miles from UK airspace - media

The quick reaction alert (QRA) aircraft took off in response to the two Tupolev TU-160 Blackjack bombers as they approached to within less than 50 miles of the UK, according to The Telegraph.

The fighters escorted the Russian aircraft north away from the UK and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that "at no point" did the Blackjacks enter British sovereign airspace.

At their closest, the Russian aircraft were within 30 nautical miles (34.5 miles) of the UK's sovereign airspace, the MoD said - around 40 nautical miles (46 miles) from British soil.

Read alsoRussian jet makes "unsafe" intercept of U.S. Navy aircraft over Black SeaOfficials would not confirm how many Typhoons were involved in the operation. The fighters were supported by a Voyager air-to-air tanker.

A RAF spokesman said: "The Russian aircraft were initially monitored by a variety of friendly nation fighters and subsequently intercepted by the RAF in the North Sea.

Read alsoSyria says military jet downed in northern Hama, pilot killed – media (Video)Russian military activity near the UK in recent months has seen a series of planes scrambled and warships diverted to monitor naval vessels.

On January 8, it was reported HMS Westminster, a Portsmouth-based Type 23 frigate, was tasked to intercept two of Vladimir Putin's warships and two supporting vessels as they passed close to UK waters.