A UK-bound plane has made an emergency landing in Russia – with Vladimir Putin’s defence team deployed to the scene on “full alert”.

The Hainan Airlines flight was heading to Manchester with 230 passengers when the pilot reported a “mechanical fault”, forcing the jet to touch down in Siberia.

NINTCHDBPICT001101281634The flight was heading from Beijing to Manchester when it was forced to land in Russia Credit: East2West NINTCHDBPICT001101281630It was forced to land in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, about four hours into the flight (stock) Credit: East2West

The Airbus A330-300, which had departed from Beijing, circled several times over the city of Divnogorsk before landing safely in Krasnoyarsk.

Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said: “No deaths or injuries were reported.

“The aircraft and ground infrastructure sustained no damage.”

They added that their teams were on “full alert” when the plane landed.

Hainan Airlines said a “mechanical fault” was the reason for the emergency landing which took place about four hours into the journey.

But they did not specify any details about the on-board problem.

Russia said the seven-year-old plane suffered a “technical malfunction” during the flight.

There were both British and Chinese passengers on board, according to local media.

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