In a statement, the country's ministry of defence claimed that the RAF fighter jets made a U-turn as its aircraft approached - and Russia's state border was not violated.

It said the two Typhoon craft were spotted over the Black Sea and that they were accompanied by an RC-135 reconnaissance plane, which is used by both the RAF and the US Air Force.

"The flight by the Russian fighter jets was carried out in strict compliance with the international rules for the use of airspace over international waters without crossing air routes or coming dangerously close to aircraft of a foreign state," it added.

A short video posted by the Russian Defence Ministry, which it claims is of the incident, appears to show an RC-135 with the words "Royal Air Force" written on the side.

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Sky News has approached the UK's Ministry of Defence for comment.

In March, Russian officials claimed to have sent jets to intercept two US strategic bombers that flew close to its border over the Baltic Sea.

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A Russian aircraft was also said to have been intercepted by British RAF and German fighter jets that same month after it was identified flying near Estonian airspace.