British RAF Typhoon fighter jets were part of a dramatic NATO emergency response after Vladimir Putin's specialised "doomsday" aircraft was detected flying provocatively near alliance borders, The Mirror can reveal.
The high-stakes interception mission saw NATO air forces scramble from multiple bases as the Russian president's Il-80 Maxdome - a modified Il-86 airliner designed as a mobile nuclear command centre during atomic war - conducted suspicious flights in the Baltic region.
Emergency Takeoff Amid Rising Tensions
According to defence sources, the alert was triggered when the distinctive aircraft, easily identifiable by the lack of passenger windows and numerous communication domes, approached sensitive NATO airspace without standard diplomatic protocols.
"This isn't just another military flight," explained a senior defence analyst. "The Il-80 is essentially Putin's airborne nuclear bunker. When this particular aircraft starts making unusual movements near NATO territory, it demands immediate attention at the highest levels."
RAF's Rapid Response Capability
The British contribution to the mission saw Typhoons from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire launch within minutes of the alert. The state-of-the-art fighters joined aircraft from other NATO members in shadowing the Russian plane at a safe distance.
Key facts about the incident:
- Multiple NATO aircraft involved in coordinated response
- Putin's Il-80 flew without standard diplomatic notification
- RAF Typhoons maintained visual contact throughout interception
- Incident occurred amid heightened East-West tensions
What Makes the 'Doomsday' Plane So Significant?
The Il-80 Maxdome represents one of Russia's most crucial strategic assets. In the event of nuclear conflict, this aircraft would become Putin's mobile command centre, capable of directing the country's atomic arsenal while airborne.
"Seeing this particular aircraft operating in this manner is deeply concerning," noted a former RAF commander. "It's either a deliberate provocation or indicates unusual military readiness levels within Russian command structures."
The incident comes as NATO continues to bolster its eastern flank defences in response to ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine and increasing military posturing from Moscow.
