Britain says two Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets have been scrambled after Russian long-range bombers were seen flying towards British airspace.
Britain's Ministry of Defense said on May 14 that the two Russian planes were spotted north of Scotland.
The statement said the planes, identified as Russian Bear strategic bombers, were escorted "until they were out of the U.K. area of interest."
"At no time did the Russian military aircraft cross into UK sovereign airspace," it added.
Intercepts of Russian aircraft by NATO member states have increased over the last year amid heightened tensions between the West and Moscow over Russia's involvement in the conflict in Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea.
Russian officials have denied any wrongdoing, saying their aircraft have been complying with international rules.