This might be a silly question, but...
 

There've been various reports in the press recently about russian bombers encroaching on British airspace. Does this have any impact on ATC? Do they enter controlled airspace, or even know / care what is controlled and what isn't? Do ATCOs try to talk to them, and do they talk back?

Actually, that's quite a few silly questions, but I'd appreciate a reply if anybody has the time, just out of interest, really.

Thanks,

Steve.

As you have seen in the British press, the defenders of out skies rush up to meet and greet them and relish in the photo opportunity.
I cannot tell you where they actually get together, but the act of getting there means that the meeters and greeters get the highest priority and fly in a straight line through whatever airspace it entails with us civil guys moving stuff out of the way as necessary.

Ahh, the good ol' "due regard" flights. As long as these flights stay over international waters they are pretty much untouchable. They couldn't give a $hit in what airspace they are. Being the Ruskies they probbly won't even contact you. At least the US Military tactical flights check in (sometimes), in the Gulf, but they still do their own thing and to hell with your traffic.

I posted a similar query re Cold War ops:

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=204323

A couple of informative answers there from 'Yellow Sun' and 'BOAC'.
A long time ago, but on the other hand some things don't change.

N o t a

A recent venture by our Ruski chums into the N.E Atlantic proved somewhat interesting for those involved. Can't do a thing about them when they do, despite being controlled airspace, (albeit of the 'International' variety), except pass traffic-info to all and sundry as to what, where and when. Once had one a bit too 'up close and personal' with a member of the opposing team shall we say, who having got a bit of a fright was rightly upset by the encounter. (RTF exchange made for interesting reading. :E )

I have to, it is stronger than myself
 

Example of R/T between crew of russian BEAR and London ATCO in ACC at 8.33 frequency :
a/c: london Radar , good evening, Bear 069, on route from Murmansk to Azores, just pass dauning street 10,at Fl 340, squaking 1234, request higher
atco: bear 069, good evening, london radar, identified , proceed direct to Azores and what is your requested level?
a/c: 400 wil be enough, Bear 069
atco: Bear 069, climb to Fl 400
a/c: Bear 069 climbimg to Fl 400
atco: Over Portsmouth contact Brest ACC at ...
a/c: Wilco and SPASIBA PAZALSTA