- Sightings of two smaller aircraft and a larger plane were shared online
- That sparked speculation that a Russian aircraft had been intercepted
Three planes were seen flying over Cornwall last night sparking theories a Russian bomber had been intercepted.
Sightings of two smaller aircraft and a larger plane were shared online by Cornwall Live readers.
It led to people speculation of a new incursion into UK skies by Vladimir Putin’s air force.
However the Ministry of Defence played down the reports, saying there had been no military planes over Cornwall last night.
Three planes were seen flying over Cornwall last night leading to speculation a Russian bomber had been intercepted
A spokesman for the MoD said: ‘No military planes were reported as flying over the area at that time.
‘It could have been a training exercise’.
One reader, Rosie Patterson, said: ‘They were over the prom in Penzance at 19.20 last night.
‘We thought it was either a Russian bomber being escorted or aircraft refueling’.
Nathaniel Coleman, who shared the videos, said: ‘Two typhoon planes and and Russian Tu-95 [guess] being intercepted over the coast of Cornwall.
‘I was in Troon at the time and I was asking around and found out that the RAF were helping with hurricane Irma. So this could have been a cargo plane?’
Yesterday, two RAF Typhoon jets were sent to monitor two Russian planes flying towards the British skies, it was reported.
Both planes turned away and the jets did not have to intercept them.
Referring to that incident an RAF spokesman said: ‘RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth launched to monitor two Russian military aircraft as they approached the UK area of interest, however, the aircraft turned away and no intercept took place.’