RAF fighters intercepted Russian planes off the UK coast, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) fighter aircraft scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland yesterday to meet two Russian aircraft.

The Typhoon pilots visually identified the two Russian aircraft over the North Sea and escorted them out of UK air space.

It comes as American F-15 fighter jets were spotted over Hampshire today.

And earlier this year RAF jets intercepted a Russian plane flying over the English Channel.

Air to air refuelling (AAR) support was provided by an RAF Voyager aircraft from RAF Brize Norton.

Squadron Leader Jim Calvert of II(AC) Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth flew one of the RAF Typhoons involved in the mission.

He said: "Given the Royal Air Force’s enduring commitment to secure the UK’s skies, yesterday’s sortie once again proved Typhoon’s capability to successfully scramble and intercept Russian long-range aviation.

"Protecting our skies is especially poignant in this 75th anniversary year of the Battle of Britain. Working together with ground-based radar and air-to-air refuelling aircraft today’s RAF continues to come together as a team to protect our country."