Royal Air Force jets had to be scrambled Tuesday when two Russian bombers flew a little too close to U.K. airspace.
Typhoon jets from Leuchars airbase went into action after the Russian aircraft were picked up on radar near the coast of northeast Scotland, Sky News reported.
The bombers — believed to be Tupolev 95s, also known as “Bears” — were escorted out of the area and eventually headed towards Scandinavia.
Sky News defense correspondent Alistair Bunkall said such tactics are actually frequent.
“It’s all about testing defenses and seeing exactly what your ’enemy’ is capable of,” Mr. Bunkall said.
The incident comes amid increasing international tensions over Russia’s recent annexation of Crimea. Russia has also been accused of working to destabilize East Ukraine to the point where it could use conditions on the ground as a pretext for invasion.
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Only hours after U.S. Vice President Joseph R. Biden left Kiev Tuesday, pro-Russian forces kidnapped and tortured two Ukrainians, including a member of the Slovyansk city council.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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