Four Russian jets were "intercepted and escorted" out after approaching the north of Scotland, the Royal Air Force has said.
The RAF confirmed that Typhoon jets “intercepted and escorted four Russian Bear aircraft” that were “approaching the UK area of interest”.
They confirmed the Russian jets did not enter UK airspace.
The Russian jets that were intercepted were a Tu-95, which is a large, four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform.
Earlier today, RAF jets scrambled to intercept unknown aircraft - thought to be Russian bombers - in a 'Quick Reaction Alert' mission.
Typhoon fighters from RAF Lossiemouth, supported by a Voyager Tanker from RAF Brize Norton, have launched northwards against the "unidentified aircraft" approaching the "UK area of interest".
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told the Mirror earlier today: "Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighters from RAF Lossiemouth, supported by a Voyager Tanker from RAF Brize Norton, have been launched against unidentified aircraft approaching the UK area of interest.
"We will not be offering any additional detail on this ongoing operation until complete."
Today's scramble is known as a 'quick reaction alert', and are not uncommon. It involves RAF crews shadowing Russian military aircraft near UK airspace and have occurred since the Cold War era.
An RAF spokesman said: "Quick reaction alert Typhoon fighters from RAF Lossiemouth, supported by a Voyager Tanker from RAF Brize Norton, have been launched against unidentified aircraft approaching the UK area of interest.
"We will not be offering any additional detail on this ongoing operation until complete."
On previous occasions, the RAF has said it responds to Russian military aircraft entering the UK Flight Information Region, which is the UK's controlled zone of international airspace because it can be a hazard to other air users, BBC reports.
Furthermore, it was said Russian planes often don't talk to air traffic control to ensure they are visible to other air users and air traffic controllers on the ground.
It comes after a Russian warplane "breached the air space of Estonia" where hundreds of British troops are based as tensions continue to escalate in the region.
The US had accused Russia of planning to invade Ukraine, something Russia has repeatedly denied.
Joe Biden today announced he is sending more troops to eastern Europe amid growing fears Russia will invade Ukraine.
Moscow, which has massed more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders, denies any plan to invade its neighbour but says it could take unspecified military measures if demands are not met, including a promise by NATO never to admit Kyiv.
In signs that, publicly at least, Russia is in no mood to signal compromise, the Kremlin mocked British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as "utterly confused" and ridiculed British politicians for their "stupidity and ignorance".
The Kremlin turned its rhetorical fire on Johnson, who cancelled a phone call with Putin on Monday to answer questions in parliament about boozy events in his Downing Street office during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Johnson visited Kyiv on Tuesday, where he accused Russia of holding a gun to Ukraine's head.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia had not announced any phone call with Johnson but added: "It makes sense to speak to anybody.
"Russia and President Putin are open to communicating with everyone.
"Even to someone who is utterly confused, he is prepared to provide exhaustive explanations."
