The 'Bear F' plane also flew low and close to the UK carrier group

A Russian patrol aircraft "repeatedly approached" the UK’s carrier strike group as it operated in the Arctic last week, dropping a number of tracking devices near the ship, the Ministry of Defence has confimed.

Two F-35 fighter jets intercepted and chased off the Russian reconnaissance plane called a "Bear F" on July 2, with the Russian aircraft dropping "a large number of sonobuoys" nearby, typically used for anti-submarine warfare or underwater acoustic research.

Despite attempts by the British forces to contact the Russian plane, there was no response from the Bear - which also flew low and close to the UK carrier group.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "While operating in the Norwegian Sea on Operation Firecrest, the UK’s Carrier Strike Group was repeatedly approached by a Russian ‘Bear-F’ maritime patrol aircraft.

"The Bear-F passed at low altitude and unnecessarily close to HMS Prince of Wales and dropped a large number of sonobuoys in close proximity to the carrier.

"This activity was unsafe and unprofessional. The Russian aircraft was intercepted and escorted by two UK F-35 jets from HMS Prince of Wales until it left the area."

The UK's Carrier Strike Group deployment in the High North is operating alongside Nato allies as part of Arctic Sentry, reinforcing security in the Arctic and North Atlantic.

Vessels and vehicles include HMS Prince of Wales, Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan, F-35 jets, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, and support by RFA Tidespring.

The security detail in the region forms part of the UK’s wider contribution to Nato, which also includes British jets patrolling the skies over Romania.

Further examples include a British battlegroup equipped with advanced drones in Estonia, and the UK’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps in the UK, ready to respond to crises and threats.

Responding to Russia's latest intimidation effort, ex-Security Minister Tom Tugendhat wrote on X: "Russia is testing us.

"They don't need our commentary to see how ill-prepared we are.For 30 years we have cut defence as we have voted for parties that promised to spend more on welfare.

"Those days are over and failing to realise it will cost more than embarrassment. Our cables cut and fuel damaged would be an economic disaster."

The July 2 provocation comes just before a key Nato summit begins in Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday.

The HMS Prince of Wales departed from the Glen Mallan jetty in Loch Long, Argyll and Bute, bound for Nordic waters last month.

According to reports, the vessel had to dock in Norway for repairs, postponing its departure for commemorations marking the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.

A senior naval source reportedly told the Daily Mail the carrier's latest difficulties were "devastating for morale".

The vessel, weighing 65,000 tonnes and costing £3billion, is typically based in Portsmouth.

The move by Russia comes as the UK takes command of Nato's special forces unit, described by the Ministry of Defence as "the spearhead" of the defensive alliance's rapid deployment teams, which are "able to deploy anywhere in the world within days".

Russian president Vladimir Putin also is reported to be in the Arctic Circle, traversing the coast of Norway in his £100million super yacht as he makes his way back to Russia.