Ireland drawn into 'new Cold War' as Vladimir Putin flexes muscles after Russian bombers fly past the west coast

A Russian Tu-95 Bear H photographed by an RAF Typhoon from 6 Squadron at RAF Leuchars in Scotland on Wednesday (MoD)

BY PAUL MELIA, RALPH RIEGEL, PHILIP RYAN AND TOM BRADY – 31 JANUARY 2015

The Republic found itself at the centre of the latest muscle-flexing exercise by Vladimir Putin after Russian bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons flew past the west coast.

A diplomatic spat erupted as the Irish Government warned it was “absolutely unacceptable” that the two Tupolev 95s were in Irish-controlled airspace for five hours without notifying the authorities.

The planes were flying with their transponders switched off – meaning they could not be ‘seen’ by civilian aircraft as they passed through the busy airspace, where around 1,800 planes a day travel.

The aircraft were tracked by RAF Typhoon jets for more than 12 hours as they flew from the Norwegian Sea, along the west coast before banking east and travelling south of the UK.

The Republic's Defence Minister Simon Coveney warned Russian military aircraft “should not” enter Irish airspace without notification but said there would be no “knee-jerk reaction”. He will discuss the matter with the Taoiseach to decide a course of action.

But a spokesman for Russian ambassador to Ireland Maxim Peshkov insisted the aircraft were in international airspace and there was no threat to commercial airlines.

Mr Coveney last night told the Irish Independent: "What happened was two Russian planes, without filing any flight plan or giving any pre-notification, came into international airspace that is controlled by the IAA.

"It should not happen and it did. That is a very busy airspace - about 1,800 planes a day fly through that. The IAA did a really good job in managing it."

He said the matter would be discussed with the Taoiseach, Transport Minister Pashcal Donohoe and Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan as any "knee-jerk" move would not be helpful.

"This isn't the first time Russian planes have flown along the western coast of the EU. We need to deal with this calmly.

"But we will make it very clear ... this is an unacceptable situation," said Mr Coveney.

advertisement

The UK RAF was involved because Ireland is considered to be within its 'area of interest' in defence matters.

Irish air traffic controllers were notified of the incident by UK authorities at 11am, and remained on high alert until 4pm when the pair of Russian planes flew north.

RAF Typhoon jets intercept two Russian bombers near UK airspace

Sponsored videos

COMMENT RULES: Comments that are judged to be defamatory, abusive or in bad taste are not acceptable and contributors who consistently fall below certain criteria will be permanently blacklisted. The moderator will not enter into debate with individual contributors and the moderator’s decision is final. It is Belfast Telegraph policy to close comments on court cases, tribunals and active legal investigations. We may also close comments on articles which are being targeted for abuse. Problems with commenting? customercare@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Newest | Oldest

doco217 hours ago

Raffles, ever heard of Crimea and Ukraine ??

doco217 hours ago

Shoot them down

raffles1 day ago

Get a frigging life......spy planes are flying over here all the time, US military strike planes too with the same capability. The Bears have been flying around the north Atlantic for thirty odd years its just now the proaganda machine wants to make a highlight of it and do a bit of bad press.

Our planes and the yanks fly close to their territories all the time, we conduct huge miltary exercises on their doorstep.....what do you expect?

At least they dont bomb us like the Yanks and Nato did in Iraq, illegally and against all international laws :-) led by the war criminals Bush and Blair..... If they did bomb us, well, it would be just the same as our actions in Iraq!

seenitallbefore2 days ago

we were thinking of sending a couple of our kites from ards airport.

that would have scared the bug gers alright.

Backinbelfast2 days ago

So ROI doesnt have an Air Force? Seems they are scamming us for everything these days.

Oops sorry they have one CN235...........

Muller112 days ago

@Backinbelfast

The reason being they're not the war mongering imperialists that the British and Americans are.

onlooker2 days ago

@Muller11 @Backinbelfast your comment is fine if all countries respect each other ,if not its stupid

Muller112 days ago

@onlooker

Is there something in my comment that's wrong?

onlooker6 hours ago

@Muller11 @onlooker its not knowledge your after ,,its a reaction

Muller113 hours ago

@onlooker

That didn't answer the question oh wise one..

It's 'you're' btw.

belfastsocrates2 days ago

@Muller11 @Backinbelfast The Irish have plenty of military equipment, they also have a mutual defence pact with the United Kingdom. It was the RAF that tracked the Russian planes as RAF have the equipment and capability to do so.

BemusedB2 days ago

Storm in a tea cup.

william12 days ago

Tora,Tora,Tora.! Dont mess with the ROI

Joe122 days ago

The country is called Ireland.

Backinbelfast2 days ago

@Joe12 As william1 says its the ROI, the island is called Ireland.

Joe122 days ago

The official name of the country is called Ireland. Look it up. Educate yourself.

Backinbelfast7 hours ago

@Joe12 Only Republicans like yourself need to improve on their education.

pastybappp3 hours ago

@Backinbelfast @Joe12 But they can't afford to improve their education because all the money has been wasted on the irish language act.

onlooker2 days ago

@Joe12 great ,,people will find hassle with ANYTHING

glengormlian2 days ago

@onlooker @Joe12 Joe is one of those people who think that, if you say it often enough, it will come true.

Joe122 days ago

Say what? your comment doesn't make any sense!

Judyta2 days ago

@Joe12 It is hard for many in NI to call the Republic "Ireland", because they perceive themselves as living in Ireland, too (and the distinction between "in" and "on the isle of" seems highly uncomfortable to deal with).

belfastsocrates2 days ago

@Judyta @Joe12 Most don't call it either Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, they say 'down south' or 'in the south'

Most people actually couldn't care any less nor have the time or desire to sit at a screen and procrastinate about the etymology

Joe122 days ago

They're gonna have to deal with it because the country is not going to change its name for a minority. A group of us are going over to Irelands Capital next week. Looking forward to it, Dublin is a great city.

Muller112 days ago

@Joe12

Good time to go Joe, better exchange rate at the moment between pound and euro.

Joe122 days ago

I was at the bank yesterday €133 for £100, Happy Days :)

belfastsocrates1 day ago

@Joe12 Going to need more than €133...

helloagain1 day ago

...if he wants more than 3 pints and a McD's....though must agree with Joe, Dublin is a great city, if you have money that is.

Rosie_Roop1 day ago

@helloagain Agree. Like most of the great capital cities, best enjoyed with money.

Joe121 day ago

Ohh I changed over many £100s, Dublin is not as expensive as you may think. €3.50-€4.80 a beer. €2.50 in wetherspoons. 2 course meal €18.

onlooker12 hours ago

@Joe12 2 course meal £12 ok just

onlooker12 hours ago

@belfastsocrates @Joe12 you are soo right stayed overnight in Dublin after arriving from new York before going to derry the price of drink is disgraceful ,,for a pint of harp and a bottle of coors 10euros 70 cents ( aprox £8 ) slightly better now but not much ,,new York was cheaper and that was with the tip as you get a free round with every forth drink ,,any drunk man in Dublin should be investigated by the taxman

onlooker6 hours ago

@Joe12 every subject no matter what it is comes around to the same stupid conversation ,the rights and wrongs of what this or that should be called in Ireland ,