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RAF heroes ward off two Russian bombers flying near UK airspace just one DAY after Vladimir Putin told pilots to ‘prepare for war’

Russian premier has ordered his armed forces to prepare for a 'time of war' after tensions with the West

RAF top guns scrambled to intercept two nuclear-capable Russian bombers as they flew menacingly towards Britain this morning.

Vladimir Putin's Blackjack bombers flew within Britain's "area of interest" but did not enter UK airspace.

The show of sabre-rattling comes just one day after Vlad ordered his air force to be ready for a "time of war".

The planes are believed to have flown down the coast of Norway before passing the west coast of Ireland at around 11:30am.

Russian bombers went on a sabre-rattling run down towards the west coast of Ireland. They first passed the Faroe Islands at around 10:15am this morning, and half an hour later were near the coast of the Outer Hebrides. Two RAF Typhoons were scrambled to intercept them from RAF Coningsby at 11:13am, keeping watch as the bombers looped around the south of Ireland and headed back up north
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Russian bombers went on a sabre-rattling run down towards the west coast of Ireland. They first passed the Faroe Islands at around 10:15am this morning, and half an hour later were near the coast of the Outer Hebrides. Two RAF Typhoons were scrambled to intercept them from RAF Coningsby at 11:13am, keeping watch as the bombers looped around the south of Ireland and headed back up north
RAF Typhoons were scrambled after Russian planes flew close to UK airspace today. A similar incident involving identical aircraft is pictured here
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RAF Typhoons were scrambled after Russian planes flew close to UK airspace today. A similar incident involving identical aircraft is pictured hereCredit: PA:Press Association
The French Rafale jets, bottom, were also scrambled to escort the Russian bombers
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The French Rafale jets, bottom, were also scrambled to escort the Russian bombersCredit: @Armee_de_lair Twitter
The French released photos of its fighters tailing the Russian planes
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The French released photos of its fighters tailing the Russian planesCredit: @Armee_de_lair Twitter

On the way they were met by two of Britain's supersonic Typhoon jets scrambled from two Scottish bases.

Air Force top brass confirmed the scare this afternoon.

An RAF spokesperson said: “We can confirm that quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby scrambled to monitor two Blackjack bombers while they were in the UK area of interest.

"At no point did the Russian aircraft enter UK territorial airspace.”

The French air force later released a picture of its Rafale jets tailing the bombers.

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The RAF faced TWO identical situations within one week back in October.

The first incident in saw fighters from the UK, Norway, France and Spain scrambled to escort a Blackjack bomber.

RAF aces often use the incidents to practise their ability to scramble fighters and intercept incoming planes.

Putin has ordered his army and air force to prepare for a "time of war" during a check of the country's armed forces.

The warning is likely to be a response to the massive NATO operations currently underway in eastern Europe.

Germany and NATO this week underscored their commitment to beefing up the defence of eastern Europe's border with Russia as the first of four new battalions under the North Atlantic alliance's banner arrived in Lithuania.

The RAF Typhoons raced from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby in Scotland to intercept two Russian bombers
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The RAF Typhoons raced from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby in Scotland to intercept two Russian bombersCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Russian Blackjack bombers identical to the one pictured flew close the UK's airspace but did not enter it, the Ministry of Defence has said
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Russian Blackjack bombers identical to the one pictured flew close the UK's airspace but did not enter it, the Ministry of Defence has saidCredit: Reuters
RAF Typhoons monitor Russian warships Pyotr Velikiy and the Admiral Kuznetsov as they pass close to UK territorial waters
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RAF Typhoons monitor Russian warships Pyotr Velikiy and the Admiral Kuznetsov as they pass close to UK territorial watersCredit: Reuters

In moves agreed last year under former President Barack Obama, NATO is expanding its presence in the region to levels unprecedented since the Cold War, prompted by Russia's annexation of Crimea and accusations that it is supporting a separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine.

It is not the first time in recent months Russia has looked to display its strength on the international stage.

In January a Russian fleet skulked past Dover’s White Cliffs as it was closely watched by RAF Typhoon jets as Putin’s fearsome navy force returned from a Syrian bombing campaign.

In October 2016 British jets were scrambled twice in a week after Russian military planes flew into a "UK area of interest".

In December 2015 British military bosses held talks with Army officials in Moscow over “incursions” of Russian aircraft around the UK.

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