The British Ministry of Defense confirmed last Friday that the deployment of two combat aircraft was ordered Typhoon to intercept a Russian bomber Tupolev Tu-95which is known as ‘Bear’, after UK radars detected the Russian plane approaching British airspace. Although it did not enter British territory, its presence in the area of national interest over the North Sea activated the immediate response of British forces, according to .
This incident in United Kingdom airspace, on the other hand, occurs a few days after Russian military ships crossed the English Channel and the Royal Navy was forced to escort them. “Our adversaries should not underestimate the United Kingdom’s formidable ability and determination to defend itself,” said Luke Pollard, Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, in a direct message to Moscow.
He Tupolev Tu-95nicknamed ‘Bear’, is more than a bomber. It represents a mix of the historical legacy and power that the Kremlin wants to project. Designed in the middle of the Cold War, this aircraft, unique in its type because it uses propeller engines and has a more than estimable load capacity, allows it to adapt to military missions such as surveillance.
In fact, this Russian bomber has participated in long-range missions, including operations in Syria since 2015. Its longevity and versatility make it a key piece of Russia’s air arsenal, whose operational life is projected until 2040. Its appearance in The proximity of United Kingdom airspace, on the other hand, reflects the increasing pace that Russian maneuvers have taken in Europe.
In recent years, encounters between Russian aircraft and NATO fighters have become increasingly frequent, especially in areas such as the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea. This summer, in August 2023, British planes intercepted Russian bombers north of Scotland in airspace managed by the Atlantic Alliance, making it clear that these incidents are not isolated, but part of a strategic pattern.
