Pro-Palestine protesters break into RAF base and brag about damaging planes

Two members of a pro-Palestine group broke into RAF Brize Norton and damaged two aircraft, Palestine Action has claimed. In footage posted on social media, the group claims to have entered the base in Oxfordshire and to have escaped undetected overnight. It wrote on X: "Palestine Action break into RAF Brize Norton and damage two military aircraft."

The group linked their action to the war in Gaza, claiming flights from Brize Norton depart "daily" to reach RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, from which aircraft "collect intelligence, refuel fighter jets and transport weapons" for military operations in the Middle East. The message continued: "Not only did actionists manage to break into Britain's largest air force base... they also escaped undetected." The group also said of the activists' actions: "They used repurposed fire extinguishers to spray red paint into the turbine engines of two Airbus Voyagers and caused further damage using crowbars. Red paint, symbolising Palestinian bloodshed was also sprayed across the runway and a Palestine flag was left on the scene. Both activists managed to evade security and arrest."

Palestine Action's video shows two activists on e-scooters approaching an aircraft before one of the pair sprays red paint into an engine using a re-purposed fire extinguisher. The group said paint was sprayed into engines on two Airbus Voyager planes, which are used for air-to-air refuelling and to transport military cargo.

A Ministry of Defence Spokesperson said: "We strongly condemn this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets. We are working closely with the police who are investigating. Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain. They put their lives on the line for us, and their display of duty, dedication and selfless personal sacrifice are an inspiration to us all. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us."

Sir Keir Starmer said what happened at RAF Brize Norton was "disgraceful". The Prime Minister said in a post on X: "The act of vandalism committed at RAF Brize Norton is disgraceful. Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us."

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police, said: “We have received a report of people gaining access to RAF Brize Norton and causing criminal damage. An investigation has been launched and we are working with the Ministry of Defence Police and partners at RAF Brize Norton. Enquiries are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible. Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 43250305575.”

A senior RAF source hit out at the group's statement on Gaza and Britain's role in the conflict. They told Sky News: "The claims made by the group who broke into RAF Brize Norton show a complete lack of understanding of how the RAF operates and what these aircraft do. The UK is not supporting Israeli operations and these aircraft have not been used in support of Israeli forces in any shape or form."

RAF Brize Norton is the largest Royal Air Force base with about 5,800 service personnel, 300 civilian staff and 1,200 contractors.

It is home to the RAF's Air Mobility Force, which includes strategic and tactical air transport and air-to-air refuelling forces. It also hosts reserve units.

The base has a mixed aircraft fleet and provides rapid global mobility in support of UK overseas operations and exercises. Aircraft based there also refuel fighter jets on overseas operations.

The reported breach at RAF Brize Norton by activists will no doubt raise serious questions about security at the base and other stations across the country.

Break-ins appear to be relatively rare at RAF bases. In March 2003, two people cut through a fence at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire in protest at the then looming Iraq War.

The RAF said at the time that the pair were unable to get close to its aircraft, though the culprits managed to damage vehicles. The MoD said it would review security following that break-in.