Multiple European military forces escort Russian bombers near controlled airspace

Military forces with Belgium and the U.K. trailed two Russian bomber jets near the countries' respective airspaces on Friday, offering escort to the fighters until they left the area.

The Dutch Defense Ministry said on Friday that two Tu-160 "Blackjack" supersonic bombers were detected over the North Sea on Friday, after which Belgian jet fighters provided escort out of the region. 

The Royal Air Force subsequently took over escort duties. "RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoon aircraft launched today from [RAF Lossiemouth] and [RAF Coningsby]," the air force said in a tweet. 

"This was in response to Russian TU-160 Blackjack aircraft approaching UK Airspace and was coordinated with several [NATO] Allies," the tweet continued.

The bombers reportedly did not enter into the airspace of either country.