Russian bombers intercepted by British fighter planes

LONDON, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- British fighter jets intercepted two Russian long-range bombers off the coast of England on Wednesday, the British Ministry of Defense said.

Two Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter planes intercepted the Russian Tupolev TU-95 bombers, known as Bears, in international airspace as they flew from northwestern Britain to Cornwall, England's western tip. The Bears then returned flying northward.

"The Russian planes were escorted by the RAF until they were out of the U.K. area of interest. At no time did the Russian military aircraft cross into U.K. sovereign airspace," an RAF spokesman said. The incident occurred two weeks after similar Russian aircraft flew over the English Channel, initiating a demand by the British government for an explanation from the Russian ambassador.

Speaking of the English Channel confrontation, British Secretary of Defense Michael Fallon said, "We had to scramble jets very quickly to see them off. It's the first time since the height of the Cold War, it's the first time that's happened. That just shows you, you need to respond, each time he [Russian President Vladimir Putin] does something like that, you need to be ready to respond."

Russian planes have been seen near English airspace with increasing frequency in the past several months, as well as over Europe. The incidents come as concerns increase over Russian involvement in Ukraine and suggestions of possible future Russian involvement in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.