THREE planes spotted over Cornwall sparked fears Vladimir Putin had sent a Russian bomber into British air space.
Locals shared pictures of the aircraft – a large four-engine plane and two delta-wing fast jets.
Hi, these planes were spotted over Cornwall this evening. Could you possibly confirm what they are for us? Thanks @DefenceHQ @RoyalAirForce pic.twitter.com/bnluRw9cLs
— Cornwall LIVE (@CornwallLive) September 21, 2017
Anyone else just see that plane with 2 fighter jets next to it?? #cornwall #fighterjets pic.twitter.com/8gDt5AcvYN
— Sean Mitchell (@seanosheep) September 21, 2017
There was speculation the aircraft were a Russian Tu-95 Bear long range bomber aircraft and a pair of RAF Typhoon fighters that had been scrambled to intercept it.
One local, Rosie Patterson, told Cornwall Live. : "They were over the prom in Penzance at 7.20pm last night.
"We thought it was either a Russian bomber being escorted or aircraft refuelling".
Nathaniel Coleman said: "Two typhoon planes and and Russian Tu-95 [guess] being intercepted over the coast of Cornwall."