NATO has warned the Russians are coming after RAF Typhoons from Lossiemouth were scrambled in the latest mid-air Cold War-style encounter with long-range bombers from the country.

The military alliance picked up a series of Russian formations engaged in "significant military manoeuvres" ranging from the Black Sea to the Atlantic.

Fighter jets from the Moray base tracked the Tu-95 Bear H bombers, which were not using on-board transponders to alert other aircraft of their presence, through UK flight areas. They also failed to file flight plans with UK authorities.

Nato said on its website: "These sizeable Russian flights represent an unusual level of air activity over European airspace."

The two bombers had ­originally been part of a larger formation of eight aircraft - including four Il-78 tanker planes - intercepted by Norwegian F-16 fighters in international airspace over the Norwegian Sea yesterday. While six of the planes turned back towards Russia, the two Bears carried on towards the UK where they were picked up by the RAF Control and Reporting Centre at Boulmer in Northumberland.

"The RAF Typhoon pilots visually identified the Russian aircraft and escorted them through the UK flight information region," the Ministry of Defence said.

The Bears continued on over the Atlantic to the west of Portugal, where they were intercepted by Portuguese F-16s, before turning back.

Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance remained "vigilant and ready to respond" to any further Russian moves.