In Cornwall we are used to seeing RAF and Royal Navy aircraft in the sky, but an unannounced Russian visitor just down the coast saw British and American fighter jets scrambled on Tuesday.
Yesterday there were reports that a pair of USAF F15 Eagles had been spotted low over Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch around 2pm on Tuesday.
Now a national newspaper says Typhoons were despatched from two RAF bases and flew alongside the huge Russian bombers over the English Channel.
The Russian TU-95 Bear aircraft are capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
It is understood the planes deviated from their normal course sparking the British and American response.
A spokesman for the MoD said: “Typhoons were launched after the Russian aircraft were identified flying close to UK airspace.
“The Russian planes were escorted until they were out of the UK area of interest. At no time did they cross into UK airspace.”
Read the full story in Bournemouth's Daily Echo.
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