RAF fighter jets were scrambled after one of Vladimir Putin’s reconnaissance aircraft was detected flying near to British airspace.
Two Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth were deployed from Moray to keep watch of the Russian Bear-F plane as it flew dangerously close over the North Sea.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the incident happened on Thursday, but no more information was shared about the Kremlin’s mission.
The Russian aircraft had been detected in the UK’s area of interest but at no time was it able to enter UK sovereign airspace.
The incident comes after the Royal Navy shadowed Russian military ships passing through the English Channel over the past week.
It is understood this is the second time in three months the Royal Navy and RAF have detected Russian vessels and aircraft within a week of each other.
HMS Iron Duke and tanker RFA Tideforce shadowed the three vessels, which were led by the new frigate Admiral Golovko.
The Golovko was accompanied by oceanographic research vessel Yantar and supporting tanker Vyazma.
All three had been tracked by the Norwegian Navy before British forces took over.
The Duke class frigate and Tide-class tanker, supported by an RAF P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, followed the ships through the Channel before handing over duties to the French Navy.
As the Golovko continued her journey, Iron Duke took over shadowing duties of the second Russian group.
Frigate Neustrashimy and her support ship, tanker Akademik Pashin, were travelling to their home port in the Baltic.
Iron Duke remained in contact with the pair back through the Channel and into the North Sea before handing over to a Dutch warship.
Luke Pollard, minister for the armed forces, said: ‘Our adversaries should be in no doubt of our steadfast determination and formidable ability to protect the UK.
‘The Royal Navy and RAF have once again shown they stand ready to defend our country at a moment’s notice and I pay tribute to the professionalism and bravery of those involved in these latest operations.’
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