Jets have been scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth in response to two Russian aircraft approaching the UK.
Typhoon fighters took off from the Moray base in response to the potential threat.
It is understood the jets were off the ground shortly after 11.30am on Friday.
Nato allies tracked the two Russian TU-142 Bear-F anti-submarine aircraft as they moved through European allied airspace.
As they continued to fly towards the UK, armed Typhoon jets were scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth to intercept the Cold War-era planes over the North Sea.
The crews shadowed the Russian planes throughout their time in the UK’s area of interest.
A RAF Lossiemouth pilot said: “We worked closely with units from around the Royal Air Force to deliver another successful intercept, maintaining the integrity of UK and Nato airspace throughout.
“We were initially kept informed by our Nato colleagues and then routed directly to the Bears by the RAF Control and Reporting Centre.
“Air-to-air refuelling from an RAF Voyager ensured we were able to stay on task until the mission was complete, and the aircraft departed from the UK’s area of interest.”
What is Quick Reaction Alert?
The Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) operation is one of the most critical run from RAF Lossiemouth.
It requires Typhoon jets and crews to constantly be ready to respond to potential threats approaching the northern part of the UK.
Personnel at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire perform QRA missions in the south.
There were 14 scrambles from RAF Lossiemouth in 2020.
The operation regularly involves jets being called to respond to Russian aircraft approaching the UK.
However, the RAF responds to any unknown aircraft in the country’s area of interest.
In 2020, 11 of the 14 scrambles were in response to Russian aircraft.