RAF planes have been departing from an air base not far from the West Country in order to carry aid and weapons to Ukraine.
C-17 Globemasters have been seen taking off from Brize Norton, an RAF base just south of the Cotswolds, this week. Now, the RAF has confirmed such planes are transporting anti-tank weapons to aid Ukraine in its war against Russia.
The Royal Air Force today shared a video on Twitter publicising its response to the war, saying it was "delivering vital munitions to the frontline as we stand with Ukraine". The aircraft shown in the video, which you can watch below, is the same type of Globemaster that have been leaving Brize Norton this week.
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RAF Airbus planes have also been seen leaving Brize Norton. NATO Allied Air Command has confirmed these have been helping to refuel and support Typhoon fighters across Europe.
Air Command said: "RAF Eurofighter Typhoon fighters have taken to the skies as part of NATO's mission to secure NATO airspace, part of the Allied response after Russian forces invaded Ukraine."
Brize Norton also acts as a European air base for the US Air Force. Four of the US's B52 bombers have been stationed at the base - and have been active in the Gloucestershire skies - in recent days in order to "integrate" with European allies.
Read more: Four RAF Typhoon jets pass over Bristol in tight formation
Brand-new, state-of-the-art F35's and U2 spy planes have also been spotted arriving at the airfield. The latter can cruise at 70,000 feet and are used for intelligence gathering.
The rare sightings have also caused a stir with avid aviation watchers, with small crowds gathering at the end of the runway to catch a glimpse of the aircraft.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a no-fly zone to be implemented above Ukrainian airspace, which would have to be enforced by NATO countries. There are fears such a move could trigger an all-out war across Europe, with the implementation likely to lead to direct conflict between Russia and the west.
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