RUSSIAN military planes flying near UK airspace south of Bournemouth caused "disruption to civil aviation" on Tuesday, the UK Foreign Office have said.

It said the Russian aircraft did not enter UK airspace, but the manoeuvres were "part of increasing pattern of out-of-area operations" by Russia.

The planes were "escorted" by RAF jets "throughout the time they were in the UK area of interest", officials added.

Russia's ambassador has been summoned to "account for the incident".

Now a former RAF pilot has suggested the presence of Russian military planes close to UK airspace could be linked to the Litvinenko inquiry.

Andrew Brookes, a fellow of defence think-tank the Royal United Services Institute, said he wondered about the timing of their arrival.

Mr Brookes said: ''They are basically strutting their stuff around the globe.

''Litvinenko ... I just wonder sometimes whether because of the timing of that inquiry this is somehow of associated with that.

''Just to say 'you might have your way of doing things, but don't forget we can still project our power the way we want to do it'.

''There is no threat, but it's a massive disruption. It's basically two fingers from the Russians.''

British and American fighter jets were scrambled over Dorset to intercept two Russian bombers as they flew close to Bournemouth on Tuesday.

It has been reported that the two bombers came within 25 miles of the UK and travelled around the British Isles, flying from the north, past the west coast of Ireland and back through the English channel. 

It has also been said the bombers did not file a flight plan, did not have their transponders switched on and were not talking to air traffic control. 

On Tuesday, the Echo reported that a pair of USAF F15 Eagles had been spotted low over Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch around 2pm.

Typhoons were also 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.”

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood, 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.”