RAF Typhoons scrambled in response to Russian drone threat near Nato airspace

RAF Typhoons. Romanian officials said the fighter jets took off at 2am on Saturday in response to a possible Russian drone threat. Photograph: Simon Maycock/Alamy

Two RAF Typhoons have been scrambled from a Romanian air base to engage Russian drones close to Nato airspace, although they did not open fire.

British defence sources said the fighter jets did not enter Ukrainian airspace, contradicting reports that Russian drones had been shot down by the RAF there, an event which would have represented a major escalation in hostilities between the western alliance and Moscow.