A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman told IBTimes UK the Russian planes where flying from the direction of Norway past the west of the Shetlands, which are off the northeast coast of Scotland.
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The Ministry of Defence have confirmed that Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets have been scrambled to intercept Russian supersonic bombers.
In November 2015, Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled from Lossiemouth to intercept two Blackjack bombers.
Aircraft from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire were also launched as a “precautionary measure” on Thursday but were not required to intercept the Russian jets.
Russian “Bear” strategic bombers were also intercepted after being spotted north of Scotland in May 2015.
Launched from RAF Lossiemouth the aircraft are part of the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) force, tasked with keeping United Kingdom airspace safe.
In December past year British military officials held talks with their counterparts in Moscow over “incursions” of Russian aircraft around the UK.
It is not the first time that Typhoons were scrambled to intercept two Blackjack bombers, with an nearly identical incident taking place in November previous year.
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More recently, on September 8, a Su-27 fighter jet came within 10 feet of an American surveillance plane flying over the Black Sea.
