Russian military aircraft flying near UK airspace caused “disruption to civil aviation” on Wednesday, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The two long-range aircraft, said to be nuclear capable, did not enter UK airspace, but the manoeuvres were “part of an increasing pattern of out-of-area operations” by Russia.
The ‘Bear’-class bombers were “escorted” by RAF jets “throughout the time they were in the UK area of interest”, officials added.
Typhoon fighters were scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby to escort the Russian aircraft in a mission which lasted 12 hours.
The FCO declined to give details of the disruption to civil aviation but the Russian ambassador has been summoned to “account for the incident”.
The two Tu-95 Bear H bombers came within 25 miles of the UK.
They travelled from the north, past the west coast of Ireland and to the English Channel before turning and going back the way they had come, the BBC reported.
“The Russian aircraft manoeuvres are part of an increasing pattern of out-of-area operations by Russian aircraft,” an FCO spokesman said.
“They were escorted by RAF Typhoons throughout the time they were in the UK area of interest.
“The Russian planes caused disruption to civil aviation. Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko was called in to provide an explanation.”