Kremlin told NATO will blast trespassing planes

BRITAIN and its NATO allies have warned the Kremlin they will shoot down Russian warplanes if there are further airspace violations.

- By Eleanor Burleigh

Ambassadors of the UK, France and Germany met with Vladimir Putin's officials in Moscow and warned them over last week's 12-minute incursion of Russian jets into Estonian airspace.

The Government said: "The UK stands ready to robustly defend our airspace against any incursion."

Russia previously denied the alleged deliberate transgression, but reportedly suggested the incident was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Putin-occupied Crimea, which it was claimed could only happen with NATO's support.

It comes as footage emerged of the latest tense confrontation as Russian nuclear bombers and fighters were intercepted by US aircraft close to Alaska.

Putin’s defence ministry said: “At some stages of the flight, the Russian strategic missile-carrying bombers were escorted by fighter jets of foreign states.” A German government representative confirmed that the ambassadorial meeting included a warning that the incursions must stop.