Heartstopping moment RAF fighter jets intercept Russian ‘zombie’ warplanes menacing Nato border
THIS is the heart-stopping moment RAF fighter jets intercepted a Russian “zombie” aircraft in the skies over Estonia.
British Typhoons swarmed Vladimir Putin‘s Tupolev Tu-134 before turning their attention to two Ilyushin Il-78 tankers lurking nearby.
Pilots proved they can fulfil their “Quick Reaction Alerts” – flights undertaken at a moment’s notice – by rushing to intercept them.
Footage filmed on a GoPro mounted in the cockpit shows one RAF jet patrolling the skies over the Baltic and ready to defend against any Russian threats.
A large aircraft, flanked by two smaller jets, can then be seen entering the frame from the right-hand side.
The incredible clip then shows how the observant pilot intercepts the Tupolev Tu-134, known as the “Flying Kremlin”, thousands of feet above Estonia.
RAF personnel used the codeword “zombie” during Operation Azotie when referring to a Russian plane acting suspiciously.
The Typhoon flyer then swiftly dealt with the two accompanying Ilyushin Il-78 tankers in the tense video.
Throughout the four-month mission to protect Nato airspace from Putin’s forces, Britain’s squadron has intercepted 50 Russian aircraft.
They have now returned to the UK with 500 hours of flying under their belt as the Spanish Air Force takes over the role.
Around 50 members of the 140 Expeditionary Air Wing returned to Lossiemouth on Thursday.
During the most chaotic period of the deployment, pilots scrambled to the skies to intercept Russian planes 21 times in just 21 days.
Typhoon pilots from No IX (Bomber) and No 1 (Fighter) squadrons shadowed the aircraft as they flew through international airspace.
The deployment also saw the first ever joint air intercept between NATO allies take place between RAF and German pilots.
The two nations shadowed a Russian air-to-air refuelling aircraft and transport aircraft flying between St Petersburg and Kaliningrad.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Hundreds of RAF pilots and personnel have spent months away from their families, working round-the-clock alongside our allies to keep Europe’s skies safe.
“The UK’s successful leadership of Nato’s air policing mission in Estonia, resulting in the interception of dozens of Russian aircraft by the RAF, sends a strong message to Putin that we stand united with our allies against any threat to our borders.”
The fighter jet squadron was always held at a moment’s notice – ready to scramble and take on any possible threat in the skies.
Defence Minister Baroness Goldie DL paid tribute to the “commitment and dedication” of the 140 Expeditionary Air Wing in protecting Nato airspace.
“The day-to-day, personal sacrifices made not only by the individuals but also their families in the name of duty are nothing short of commendable,” she added.
While deployed in Estonia, the RAF took place in the largest Nato Air Deployment exercise since the Cold War.
In a declared show of force to Putin, the alliance had over 250 aircraft and 10,000 personnel from 25 Nato and partner nations involved in the aerial war games.
Last month, The Sun’s Jerome Starkey found out what it is like to be intercepted by RAF Typhoons.
He was onboard a transport jet as fighters from eight allies blasted into the sky during drills to prepare for a Russian incursion.
The jets armed with air-to-air missiles roared up to his plane’s wing tips in scenes that echoed the classic film Top Gun.
Earlier in July, President Putin’s doomsday jet was intercepted by RAF fighters on a mission over the Baltic Sea.
British typhoons closely shadowed the nuclear command and control aircraft as it flew in and out of the Russian city of Kaliningrad – eerily near Nato’s borders.
In June, the RAF scrambled its fighters to intercept Russian warplanes that were buzzing near to Nato’s airspace in a nail-biting mid-air standoff.
One thousand British Army troops remain stationed at Tapa Army Base in Estonia.