BRITISH and American fighter jets were scrambled over Dorset to intercept two Russian bombers as they flew south of the Dorset coast, it’s claimed.

Yesterday it was reported that a pair of USAF F15 Eagles had been spotted flying low over the East Dorset coastline at around 2pm on Tuesday.

Now a national newspaper says Typhoons were despatched from two RAF bases and flew alongside the huge bombers over the English Channel.

The Russian TU-95 Bear aircraft, are capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

It is understood the planes deviated from their normal course sparking the British and American response.

The RAF jets were sent from Lossiemouth and Coningsby.

A spokesman for the MoD said: “Typhoons were launched after the Russian aircraft were identified flying close to UK airspace.

“The Russian planes were escorted until they were out of the UK area of interest. At no time did they cross into UK airspace.”

Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East and who is also a foreign office minister, said: “I will be investigating it.

“The intrusions by the Russians are a regular occurrence but normally take place in the North Sea.

“This is a worrying advancement of their probing of air space but not totally unsurprising given Putin’s recent actions."

He said he would be leading a debate among on EU foreign ministers over further sanctions against Russia over the situation in Ukraine.

The ministers are expected to meet today, with diplomats expected to agree on additional punitive measures in principle.

Mr Ellwood added: “He (Putin) wants to look strong by doing air incursions such as this.

“Our aircraft are vastly superior but nevertheless it is a worrying development.

“It is important that the MOD provide a full explanation as to what happened.

“I do not think people need to be worried. I think this is done for show rather than any attempt to cause harm. However, I will be pursuing this today.

“It should be the process that when this happens, Britain provides an explanation as people that witness it and see it need to be satisfied that these situations are placed into context.”

Conor Burns, MP for Bournemouth West, said: “There is no question that the Russians would not have done that, except deliberately.

"It is a timely reminder that the peace that we have enjoyed in Europe since the fall of the Iron Curtain is a peace that requires vigilance and very strong defence.

“Being an island is a strong advantage in terms of defence but can also make us quite vulnerable.”

The Russian ambassador has now been summoned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to explain the incident.