THE appearance along the south coast of Soviet-era bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons and the scrambling of British and American fighters to intercept them is a timely reminder of events elsewhere.

It gave the RAF and USAF the opportunity to warn off the Russians, although as the Ministry of Defence confirmed there was no incursion into UK airspace.

We’ve taken peace and security for granted for a long time now in this part of the globe but it’s not something to be complacent about.

Just ask the Ukrainians or the relatives of those of aboard flight MH17.