UK Says It Is The 20th Such Incident In 15 Months

Two Russian bombers reportedly were intercepted by RAF jets off the west coast of Scotland March 10th, the 20th time the RAF says it has scrambled jets to check out Russian aircraft in British airspace in recent months.

Tornado File Photo

The Russian Blackjack Bombers were intercepted by RAF Tornado F3 Fighters near Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides. The Tornadoes followed the bombers as they flew south, then turned north just before reaching the Irish coast and departed UK airspace.

The international news service AFP reports that Wing Commander Mark Gorringe said the incident is not particularly unusual, and that the RAF has successfully intercepted Russian planes "on more than 20 occasions since the start of 2009."

Russia, however, tells a different story. AFP reports that the Kremlin denies that its bombers violated UK Airspace.

TU-160 File Photo

"The Tu-160 strategic bombers did indeed do an overflight over the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic on March 10, but did not violate any country's airspace," a Russian official was quoted as saying.

FMI: www.raf.mod.uk