The RAF is providing RC-135 Rivet Joint and P-8 Poseidon MRA1 aircraft from the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Force to assist NATO operation Baltic Sentry.

Two Typhoon jets escorting the RAF’s ‘Rivet Joint’ spy plane were warned that they would be ‘destroyed’ by Vladimir Putin’s forces if they continued flying towards the Crimean peninsular.

The UK's Royal Air Force operates some aircraft with impressive ranges as it is designed to operate around the world.