RAF aircraft are involved in a mission to intercept an unknown aircraft in the skies over Scotland.

The Voyager tanker refuelling aircraft transmitted a 1321 code that refers to "Nato air policing" activity which "aims to preserve the security of Alliance airspace".

A Typhoon jet is also involved in the "quick reaction alert mission to intercept unknown aircraft.

 Russian strategic bomber communications have been active today with at least three Russian bombers understood to be in the air with the support of three tanker planes and an A-50 AWACS early warning and control aircraft.

RAF interception exercises involving Russian aircraft are not out of the ordinary.

Two Portuguese F-16s launched from RAF Lossiemouth at a similar time but these aircraft are understood to be heading to Iceland.