Two British Royal Air Force aircraft flew a 12-hour mission earlier this week alongside US and NATO forces to patrol the border of Russia, United Kingdom Defence Minister John Healy has said.

The operation, involving two of the UK's most advanced surveillance aircraft, flew along NATO's eastern flank and followed a series of recent Russian drone and aircraft incursions into NATO airspace.

"This was a substantial joint mission with our US and NATO allies," Mr Healey said.

" Not only does this provide valuable intelligence to boost the operational awareness of our armed forces, but sends a powerful message of NATO unity to Putin and our adversaries. "

An RC-135 Rivet Joint electronic surveillance aircraft and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane flew from the Arctic region past Belaru

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