STOCKHOLM, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Two far-reaching Russian Tupolev 95 bombers entered the Icelandic air observation zone north of the country on Thursday morning, said reports reaching here from Reykjavik on Friday.

    British military jets flew towards the bombers and followed them to the northern limits of the observation zone, Morgunbladid reported.

    The Russian aircraft circled Iceland and flew as close as 43 nautical miles offshore, but without entering Icelandic airspace, the newspaper said.

    According to a statement from Iceland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it received information from Russia about the flight on Wednesday night.

    Iceland's Radar Agency monitored the bombers during the entire flight and exchanged information with appropriate military authorities within NATO, including Norway and Britain.

    Earlier this month eight Russian military jets reportedly flew near Iceland without notifying Icelandic authorities.