NewsWorld newsRussiaTu-160 supersonic strategic bombers - the largest and heaviest combat aircraft ever to enter operational service - flew a 16-hour mission to the north of Shetland off the UK coast08:07, 23 Jun 2026Updated 08:15, 23 Jun 2026NATO fighter jets have been scrambled after Russian nuclear bombers flew close to the UK coast.‌Russia launched nuclear drills off directly to the north of Shetland this week. Tu-160 nuclear-capable bombers flew a 16-hour mission over the the Barents and Norwegian Seas.‌F-35 fifth-generation fighters from NATO intercepted the Russian intercontinental strategic bombers and their escort of MiG-31 interceptor aircraft.‌The Norwegian Sea lies directly to the north of Shetland, the UK's most northerly island grouping, between Norway and Iceland.Tu-160s practiced in-flight refuelling over the neutral waters between Norway and Iceland, the defence ministry in Moscow revealed earlier today.‌The Tupolev Tu-160 - NATO reporting name ‘Blackjack’ - is the largest and heaviest combat aircraft ever to enter operational service.The strategic military bombers can carry 45 tonnes of weapons in their internal bomb bays including both nuclear and conventional long-range cruise missiles.The show of force came as it was reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov advocated for the use of nuclear weapons at a closed meeting of the Council on Foreign and Defence Policy.Article continues below“Lavrov spoke there, and at the very end of his speech, according to an eyewitness, diplomatically avoiding some questions about whether [Russia] should use nuclear weapons, said: ‘Well, I would still use them,’” said political analyst Andrey Kolesnikov.This is a Breaking News story. You’ll be more likely to see our stories when any big news breaks in future by simply by clicking this link . You can also join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News , TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage .Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌RussiaVladimir PutinBreaking NewsNato