RAF Typhoons scrambled to intercept Russian warplanes buzzing Nato airspace in mid-air standoff

The RAF has grounded its fighter jets after Russian planes were spotted near NATO airspace in a standoff.

RAF Typhoons, currently based in Estonia, have been sent out to hit a Russian Navy Tupolev Tu-134 and two Sukhoi Su-27 flankers.

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The British Air Force shared photos on Twitter of the Typhoons intercepting the attack, flying alongside the larger Tu-134, with the words “Baltic Fleet” written on the side.

“Tonight RAF Typhoons were dispatched from 140 EAW in Estonia to intercept a Russian Navy Tu-134 and two Su-27 ‘FLANKER’ B’ flying near @NATO airspace,” the Air Force said on Tuesday night on Twitter with.

The Russian plane “failed to comply with international norms by not communicating with regional airspace control,” the tweet said.

The RAF also released photos of a Typhoon jet closely following the Russian Navy plane.

The Typhoon were assembled from the 140 Expeditionary Air Wing in Estonia.

This comes after RAF Typhoons intercepted Russian warplanes flying near NATO airspace last month.

The RAF Typhoons took off from Amari Air Base in Estonia to visually identify several Russian aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea.

The Russian plane had remained in international airspace and was flying “safely and provisionally,” according to the Royal Air Force, before returning to Amari air base to continue NATO’s air policing mission.

In March, an RAF Typhoon attempted to intercept a Russian fighter jet flying near Estonian airspace.

It was the first time that British and German air forces conducted a joint NATO air policing operation.

In response, the two British and German Typhoon jets responded to a Russian Il-78 air-to-air refueling aircraft between St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad

It was escorted after communication with Estonian air traffic control failed.

The Allied fighters also intercepted an AN-148 aircraft from Russia.

After catching two Norway F-35s were quickly deployed to repel two Russian military aircraft – a MiG-31 and a NOR F-35 – in international airspace.

It came as British pilots joined forces with the German Luftwaffe to conduct joint air patrol missions in Estonia for the first time, as the UK prepared to lead NATO missions in the Russia-bordering country.

The Defense Ministry stressed the “routine” nature of the mission, but it comes amid tensions between the West and Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.