RAF intercepts Russian jets 20 times in a year

The revelation came as defence chiefs released photographs of two Russian Blackjack bombers intercepted over Scotland.

Two RAF Tornado F3 fighters from 111 Squadron were scrambled from RAF Leuchars in Fife in the early hours of March 10.

They intercepted the Russian planes near Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

The Tornados shadowed the bombers as they flew south before they turned north, just short of the Northern Ireland coast.

Wing Commander Mark Gorringe, of 111 Squadron, said: "This is not an unusual incident and people may be surprised to know that our crews have successfully scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft on more than 20 occasions since the start of 2009.

"Our pilots, navigators and indeed all the support personnel at RAF Leuchars work very hard to deliver the UK Quick Reaction Alert Force 24 hours a day, which can be scrambled in minutes, to defend the UK from unidentified aircraft entering our airspace."