British Typhoons scrambled to intercept Russian spy plane as WW3 fears explode

Two British Typhoons deployed to protect airspace along 's eastern flank have been scrambled to intercept a Russian spy plane. The Ilyushin Il-20M - codename COOT-A - did not file a flight plan and failed to speak to civilian air traffic control, sparking a response.

The said the Russian aircraft was flying close to airspace. It was escorted by the Typhoons over the Baltic Sea, before handing the operation over to Danish forces. An spokesperson said: "NATO remains vigilant and ready to safeguard allied airspace 24/7. This is a clear demonstration of the UK's commitment."

The Ilyushin Il-20M, which did not enter airspace, had already been intercepted by three other pairs of alliance aircraft earlier on Saturday.

The jets had ended their escorts when the plane turned toward Kaliningrad air space - a Russian exclave situated between and Lithuania in the Baltic region.

Six RAF Typhoons have been as part of a mission known as enhanced Air Policing (eAP).

It was set up in the wake of 's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and sees additional aircraft deployed along 's eastern borders in nations including , Bulgaria and Estonia.

The is deployed to the base in northern alongside Sweden's air force - the first time Swedish fighter jets have taken part in air policing on the territory of another ally since Stockholm joined the alliance in 2024.

Russian aircraft are often intercepted by aicraft along the eastern flank.

Last month, the said the to intercept Russian warplanes.

The Typhoon is the backbone of the and is also used in a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) role in the UK, with crews on standby 24/7, 365 days a year, ready to take off within minutes to protect British airspace if required.

The multi-role combat aircraft has a top speed of Mach 1.8 and first entered service in 2003.