A French Rafale fighter jet deployed to Poland as part of NATO's Eastern Sentry mission

Tensions rose on Christmas Day when Russian nuclear-capable bombers flew near British airspace, compelling NATO to scramble fighter jets in response. The flight over the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Scotland, alarmed Western leaders and increased fears of a wider war as the conflict in Ukraine continues.

Vladimir Putin's Tu-95MS 'Bear' bombers, which are parts of Russia's nuclear forces, carried out a routine patrol lasting more than seven hours. They were joined by Su-33 fighters from the Russian Navy and stayed in international waters without crossing into UK airspace, but their closeness still raised concerns.

NATO sent warplanes to follow the Russian aircraft, which Russia acknowledged in a statement: 'At certain stages of the route, long-range bombers were escorted by fighter jets of foreign countries.' Moscow described this as routine, but the timing during the holidays seemed meant to send a message to the West.

A Holiday Provocation in Tense Times

Why did this happen on Christmas? While families around the world celebrated, Putin's actions drew attention to Europe's fragile stability. Since Russia celebrates Orthodox Christmas on 7 January, 25 December was available for such displays.

Just hours earlier, on Christmas Eve, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a strong message, hoping for the defeat of his enemies, clearly referring to Putin, while also calling for victory and peace. 'Today, we all have one dream. And we have one wish for everyone: 'May he perish,' as everyone says to themselves,' Zelensky said, showing both hope and determination.

The bombers flew over the Norwegian Sea, between Norway and Iceland, bringing them close to northern Britain. This route brings back memories of Cold War tensions, but in 2025, with Ukraine's frontlines heavily damaged by Russian attacks, the risks seem even greater.

The Bears: Symbols of Nuclear Might

The Tu-95MS bombers, large propeller planes from the 1950s, are still important to Russia's nuclear forces, along with submarines and missiles. In Ukraine, they have launched cruise missiles that destroyed key facilities.

A recent attack used 51 missiles and 653 drones against Ukrainian targets, damaging power stations and causing blackouts for civilians. In Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky's hometown, a thermal plant was hit directly, injuring at least one person during freezing weather. Ukraine managed to intercept 585 drones, 29 cruise missiles, and one ballistic missile, but the attacks continued.

NATO member Poland also sent its jets into the air during the attacks on Ukraine. 'Due to the activity of long-range Russian air forces carrying out strikes on Ukrainian territory, military aviation has begun operating in Polish airspace,' said Poland's Armed Forces Operational Command.

Expert Analysis: Navigating the Escalation Tightrope

Experts warn that while these flights have happened regularly since the 1960s, they still carry risks of escalation through mistakes or accidents, especially now.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) emphasises the need to take urgent steps to mitigate risks in Northern Europe and prevent misunderstandings during close encounters between NATO and Russian forces. As military activity increases in the Arctic and Baltic Sea, experts say more dialogue could help avoid accidental clashes.

Admiral Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy, has warned that the Russia-Ukraine war could lead to nuclear confrontation. The Guardian notes that small incidents, such as intercepting jets or drones, remind us of the risks of escalation and are similar to Cold War situations where restraint helped avoid disaster.

Looking at the bigger picture, Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian strategic bombers earlier in 2025, including June attacks that damaged Tu-95s and other equipment, have broken previous limits on targeting nuclear infrastructure and made Moscow more sensitive.

Russia Matters reports that these actions could, in theory, lead to nuclear responses under Russia's deterrence policy, though officials have played down this risk. Keith Kellogg, a US envoy, called Ukraine's strikes bold but risky, showing how delicate the situation is.

Analysts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) see these events as significant, with effects on militaries worldwide. They warn that routine patrols could lead to hybrid or direct conflicts.

Britain's efforts to prepare for possible sabotage, as reported by The New York Times, reflect growing concerns about Russian hybrid threats and the need to improve defences quickly. Experts agree that these flights push limits, and without ways to reduce tensions, even a small mistake could lead to much bigger problems.

Patterns of Provocation

This Christmas incident is not the only one. It follows Kyiv's proposals for ceasefires and demilitarised zones to stop the fighting. However, Putin's use of bombers shows Russia's refusal to back down.

For people in Britain, the closeness of these events feels personal. The Norwegian Sea is next to Scotland, making the threat seem real. Online discussions were filled with talk of World War 3, mixing holiday cheer with worry. One person called it a 'calculated move' to unsettle NATO during a quiet time.

Emotionally, these events are unsettling. Christmas is usually a time for peace and kindness, but the threat of war affected the celebrations. For Ukrainians dealing with attacks and power outages, it is another hardship in a long and difficult conflict.