FEARS are growing after Russian drones were reportedly spotted near US air bases in the UK that were supposed to store nuclear missiles.
A small number of drones were seen in the skies near RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk, a US Air Force spokesman confirmed.
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Aerial photograph of RAF Lakenheath which was targeted Credit: Getty
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RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, was targeted last week and on TuesdayCredit: PA: Press Association
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RAF Feltwell, in Norfolk, had drones fly overhead last week
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Russian President Vladimir PutinCredit: Reuters
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Since then, military troops have been drafted in amid concerns that Russia is behind a series of sabotage flights.
It comes just days after a fleet of “unmanned aerial vehicles” were identified flying over the site.
The Sun understands the RAF has deployed its ORCUS anti-drone weapon which can jam signals to enemy drones and allow friendly forces to take control
The RAF says the ORCUS system – which can fit in the back of a Chinook helicopter – can “detect, track, identify and, if necessary, defeat enemy drones”.
All air bases continue to be monitored after drones were seen overnight and on Tuesday.
The first series of incidents took place between November 20 and 22.
The US Air Force, which has fighter jets on standby at those locations, said at the time that it was unclear whether the drones were considered hostile.
A US Air Force Europe spokesman said last week: “We can confirm that small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) were observed in the vicinity of and over RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell between 20 and 22 November.
“The number of drones varied and they were of different sizes [and] configuration.
“UAS were actively monitored and installation managers determined that none of the intrusions affected base residents or critical infrastructure”
The spokesman added: “To protect operational security, we do not discuss our specific force protection measures, but reserve the right to protect the installation.”
It comes days after a mystery drone resisted attempts to jam it when it flew over HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, during a visit to Hamburg last week.
The flights coincide with anger in Moscow over decisions by the US and Britain to allow Ukraine to fire long-range cruise missiles at targets on Russian soil.
The drone aborted missions at RAF Lakenheath, which is home to the 48th Fighter Wing.
The Pentagon plans to build a so-called “warranty dormitory” to house doomsday nuclear weapons at the base for the first time since 2008.
Wednesday’s drone sightings came hours after Ukraine fired US ATAMCS missiles at a munitions dump in Bryansk, Russia.
RAF Mildenhall hosts the US 100th Air Refueling Wing whose tankers enable US fighters to engage in long-range missions.
RAF Feltwell is described as a logistics center with accommodation, schools and other services for US personnel.
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A large drone with a camera in flight (photo) Credit: Getty
Vlad in the ban for the cabinet
VLADIMIR Putin yesterday banned cabinet ministers from entering Russia and expelled a British diplomat over spying allegations.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper were among those added to a “stop list” run by the Moscow tyrant’s Foreign Office.
The Kremlin claimed the sanctions were a response to “hostile actions” by Britain.
A British diplomat accused of espionage was also given two weeks to leave Russia.
Number 10 condemned the “malicious and baseless” accusation of spying
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