FIGHTER jets from RAF Lossiemouth were forced to intercept a Russian bomber as it approached UK airspace.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed last night jets were dispatched on Friday after a Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft was seen flying in international airspace. It was escorted through UK air space.

Two Tupolevs, also known as Bear bombers, were tracked over the North Sea on Wednesday, when Nato radar picked up Russian air formations engaged in "significant military manoeuvres" in the Black Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

Wednesday's events led Nato to warn of an unusual spike in Russian military flights in European airspace.

It follows months of heightened tension with Moscow after Russia's annexation of Crimea and military incursion into Ukraine.