Russian authority confirms bomb downed Russian plane in Egypt
The Russian federal security service says a bomb went off on the Russian plane that crashed in Egypt in October, confirming previous speculation that the incident was a terrorist act.
The head of Russia’s FSB security service, Alexander Bortnikov, confirmed on Tuesday that the plane was brought down by a bomb.
The announcement was made during a meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, a statement published on the Kremlin’s website said.
On October 31, an Airbus A321, run by Russia’s Kogalymavia airline, crashed in the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, killing all the 224 people – mostly Russians – on board.
Immediately after the October crash, an affiliate of the Daesh terrorist group in Egypt claimed responsibility. But Russian officials cast doubt on the account that the incident was a terrorist act – until now.
“According to an analysis by our specialists, a homemade bomb containing up to 1 kilogram of TNT detonated during the flight, causing the plane to break up in mid air, which explains why parts of the fuselage were spread over such a large distance,” Bortnikov said.
“We can unequivocally say it was a terrorist act,” he added.
Strikes on Daesh to reinforce
Following the announcement, the Russian president said that his country would increase its airstrikes against Takfiri Daesh terrorists in Syria in response to the incident. In September, Russia launched an aerial campaign against terrorists, including Daesh, in Syria.
It is not clear, however, if Daesh elements specifically carried out the bombing on the Russian plane.
Putin said that those responsible would be brought to justice.
“We will search for them everywhere wherever they are hiding. We will find them anywhere on the planet and punish them,” the Russian president said.
Airport officials detained
Meanwhile, Egyptian officials say they have detained two Sharm el-Sheikh Airport employees suspected of having been involved in the plane crash.
“Seventeen people are being held, two of them are suspected of helping whoever planted the bomb on the plane at Sharm al-Sheikh airport,” an unnamed Egyptian official said.
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