The Russian plane that was caught was a Tu-142 Maritime Patrol plane, also known as a Bear-F in NATO. The Tu-142 approached from the north-east and flew over the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean in international airspace. The Russian aircraft never entered UK sovereign airspace, and as part of NATO’s response to the Russian aircraft, Norwegian F-35A fighter planes were also sent to monitor the Russian aircraft.

A RAF Voyager aircraft from RAF Brize Norton supplied further air-to-air refueling support, as did command and control from the National Air and Space Operations Centre at RAF High Wycombe and the Air Surveillance and Control System at RAF Boulmer.

Alert for Quick Reaction Typhoons are launched to intercept unidentified aircraft flying in the area of interest for the United Kingdom. QRA regulations require RAF aircraft and crews to be kept in constant high readiness 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so that they can take off in minutes to protect UK sovereign airspace if necessary.