http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...rike-Syria-in-8000-mile-show-of-strength.html
Telegraph.co.uk
NEWS *
Russian bombers fly around Europe to strike Syria in 8,000 mile show of strength
Russian air force Tu-160 bomber flies a combat mission as part of a Russian air campaign against targets in Syria
Picture: AP Photo
By Ben Farmer, Defence Correspondent
9:54PM GMT 20 Nov 2015
RAF Typhoon jets scrambled to meet the Blackjack bombers who went on to strike Syria
Russian long-range bombers were intercepted by RAF fighters during a mammoth 8,000-mile show of strength as they flew around the edge of Europe to fire missiles at Syria.
RAF Typhoons from Lossiemouth in Scotland scrambled to escort the two Blackjack Tu-160 bombers as the skirted UK airspace along the Atlantic.
*
The supersonic Russian jet bombers then flew south to Gibraltar before entering the Mediterranean and firing cruise missiles at targets in Syria and heading home north eastwards.
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Defence sources said the Russian bombers are believed to have taken the roundabout route rather than a more direct flight across the Caspian and Iran to demonstrate to Nato their long range bombing ability.
The Aviationist website reported the two aircraft, the largest combat planes in the world, took of from Olenegorsk airbase, in the Kola Peninsula at around 9pm UK time on Wednesday.
After passing Norway, they were escorted by RAF Typhoons along Western Britain.
An RAF spokesman said: “The aircraft were identified as Russian Tu-160 Blackjack aircraft which were escorted by the RAF until they were clear of the UK area of interest. At no time did the Russian military aircraft cross into UK sovereign airspace.”
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "Our highly-skilled RAF pilots have once again demonstrated their skill and professionalism.
"This is another reminder that 24 hours a day, seven days a week, they are ready at a moment's notice to protect our skies."
Russia has fired dozens of cruise missiles from bombers and warships since it began a military campaign to back the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Its planes have also dropped large numbers of bombs on Syrian rebel positions.
Russia this week launched massive strikes on Raqqa in response to confirmation that the group had blown up a plane full of Russian tourists over Sinai in Egypt.
A Tupolev Tu-160 Russian long-range bomber carries out an airstrike on ISIS targets in Syria* TASS / Barcroft
https://www.rt.com/news/322857-uk-fighters-russian-bombers/
British fighter jets scrambled to intercept 2 Russian strategic bombers over Atlantic
Published time: 20 Nov, 2015 13:27
Edited time: 20 Nov, 2015 13:55
A Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber © Host Photo Agency / Reuters
British Typhoon fighter jets took off from an airbase in Scotland to intercept Russian bombers passing close to the UK’s airspace over the Atlantic Ocean.
“Typhoon aircraft went up from RAF Lossiemouth to intercept two Russian Tu-160 aircraft flying in Britain's area of interest in international airspace over the Atlantic and remained with them until they left the area," Reuters cited a British Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman.
The aircraft were identified as Russian Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ supersonic bombers, which “were escorted by the RAF until they were clear of the UK area of interest,” a Royal Air Force spokesperson said, stressing that “at no time did the Russian aircraft cross into UK sovereign airspace.”
Russian Tupolev Tu-95 ‘Bear’ and Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ nuclear-capable bombers regularly pass by UK airspace, mostly over the North Sea, while patrolling the North Atlantic. In February 2015, though, two Tu-95s flying from the Engels airbase in southern Russia passed by the British airspace from the south, flying above the international waters of the English channel.
Telegraph.co.uk
NEWS *
Russian bombers fly around Europe to strike Syria in 8,000 mile show of strength
Russian air force Tu-160 bomber flies a combat mission as part of a Russian air campaign against targets in Syria
Picture: AP Photo
By Ben Farmer, Defence Correspondent
9:54PM GMT 20 Nov 2015
RAF Typhoon jets scrambled to meet the Blackjack bombers who went on to strike Syria
Russian long-range bombers were intercepted by RAF fighters during a mammoth 8,000-mile show of strength as they flew around the edge of Europe to fire missiles at Syria.
RAF Typhoons from Lossiemouth in Scotland scrambled to escort the two Blackjack Tu-160 bombers as the skirted UK airspace along the Atlantic.
*
The supersonic Russian jet bombers then flew south to Gibraltar before entering the Mediterranean and firing cruise missiles at targets in Syria and heading home north eastwards.
ADVERTISEMENT
Defence sources said the Russian bombers are believed to have taken the roundabout route rather than a more direct flight across the Caspian and Iran to demonstrate to Nato their long range bombing ability.
The Aviationist website reported the two aircraft, the largest combat planes in the world, took of from Olenegorsk airbase, in the Kola Peninsula at around 9pm UK time on Wednesday.
After passing Norway, they were escorted by RAF Typhoons along Western Britain.
An RAF spokesman said: “The aircraft were identified as Russian Tu-160 Blackjack aircraft which were escorted by the RAF until they were clear of the UK area of interest. At no time did the Russian military aircraft cross into UK sovereign airspace.”
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "Our highly-skilled RAF pilots have once again demonstrated their skill and professionalism.
"This is another reminder that 24 hours a day, seven days a week, they are ready at a moment's notice to protect our skies."
Russia has fired dozens of cruise missiles from bombers and warships since it began a military campaign to back the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Its planes have also dropped large numbers of bombs on Syrian rebel positions.
Russia this week launched massive strikes on Raqqa in response to confirmation that the group had blown up a plane full of Russian tourists over Sinai in Egypt.
A Tupolev Tu-160 Russian long-range bomber carries out an airstrike on ISIS targets in Syria* TASS / Barcroft
https://www.rt.com/news/322857-uk-fighters-russian-bombers/
British fighter jets scrambled to intercept 2 Russian strategic bombers over Atlantic
Published time: 20 Nov, 2015 13:27
Edited time: 20 Nov, 2015 13:55
A Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber © Host Photo Agency / Reuters
British Typhoon fighter jets took off from an airbase in Scotland to intercept Russian bombers passing close to the UK’s airspace over the Atlantic Ocean.
“Typhoon aircraft went up from RAF Lossiemouth to intercept two Russian Tu-160 aircraft flying in Britain's area of interest in international airspace over the Atlantic and remained with them until they left the area," Reuters cited a British Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman.
The aircraft were identified as Russian Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ supersonic bombers, which “were escorted by the RAF until they were clear of the UK area of interest,” a Royal Air Force spokesperson said, stressing that “at no time did the Russian aircraft cross into UK sovereign airspace.”
Russian Tupolev Tu-95 ‘Bear’ and Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ nuclear-capable bombers regularly pass by UK airspace, mostly over the North Sea, while patrolling the North Atlantic. In February 2015, though, two Tu-95s flying from the Engels airbase in southern Russia passed by the British airspace from the south, flying above the international waters of the English channel.
