David Cameron: Russia were trying to make 'some kind of point' flying bombers near the UK

DAVID Cameron today said Russia appeared to be trying to make "some sort of a point" flying two Russian bombers near the coast of Cornwall.

RAF intercept Russian planeRAF

RAF Typhoons intercept Russian 'Bear' planes off the coast of Cornwall

The RAF were forced to scramble fighter jets to warn off the Moscow planes during yesterday's incident as they came close to British airspace.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has warned that the UK must be ready for Russian aggression in "whatever form it takes" as he acknowledged tensions between the alliance and Moscow were "warming up".

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter aircraft were launched yesterday after Russian aircraft were identified flying close to UK airspace.

"The Russian planes were escorted by the RAF until they were out of the UK area of interest."

Earlier this week the Royal Navy tracked a warship from the country through the Channel.

The HMS Argyll navy ship deployed a Lynx helicopter and used sensors to locate and monitor the Yaroslav Mudryy, which was on its way to the North Sea from the Mediterranean.

French forces had been tracking the Russian warship but when it veered close to British borders the navy was dispatched.

The ship was tracked through the English Channel and continued its journey to Baltiysk, Russia.

WATCH: RAF jets intercept Russian Bear aircraft near Cornwall coast

Russian bomber surrounded by RAF jets

At the end of November, Nato was forced to dismiss reports that a flotilla of Russian vessels in the Channel was conducting military exercises.

And last month the RAF scrambled fighter jets to intercept two Russian Bears spotted hovering near Bournemouth.

The long-range bombers are capable of carrying nuclear missiles.

Relations between Russia and the West have soured in recent months over Moscow's perceived role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea.

Many other European countries have reported what are widely seen as displays of Russian military prowess..

Last year, the RAF deployed jets in response to Russian military aircrafts eight times, according to Ministry of Defence figures.

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Speaking earlier, Mr Fallon, who said he was "worried" about Mr Putin, acknowledged the Russian leader could attempt a repeat of the covert campaign used in the Crimea and eastern Ukraine against other former Soviet bloc countries such as Latvia, Lithuania or Estonia.

That could involve irregular troops, cyber attacks and inflaming tensions with ethnic Russian minorities in nations seen as part of the country's "near abroad" by Moscow.

He said there was a "real and present danger" that such tactics could be used.

The Defence Secretary said: "Nato has to be ready for any kind of aggression from Russia, whatever form it takes. Nato is getting ready."

Mr Fallon said he was "worried about his (Mr Putin) pressure on the Baltics, the way he is testing Nato".

This month two long-range bombers flew down the English Channel off the coast of Bournemouth in an indication of Moscow's sabre-rattling.

"It is the first time since the height of the Cold War that has happened and it just shows you the need to respond each time he does something like that."

Mr Fallon, who was speaking to journalists accompanying him on a trip to Sierra Leone, said it was not a new Cold War with Russia because the situation is already "pretty warm".

Elsewhere the Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas said Russia would be "insane" to attack the Baltic States with their military.

However, he told Sky News that his country did expect cyber attacks and other kinds of threats from Russia.

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