Russian President Vladimir Putin and a staff of officials announced on Tuesday that it had concluded its investigation into the crash of Metrojet Airbus A321 which resulted in the deaths of its 224 passengers. Their investigation pointed to an improvised explosive device being smuggled onto the plane through the Sharm el Sheikh airport in Egypt, which exploded after takeoff, scattering the lives and remnants of the plane. The findings come 17 days after the plane was downed, and comes amidst friction with Egypt, who has claimed in recent days that the investigation did not reach proper denouement. Since the attacks on Paris, though, Egypt has backtracked its stance, and has begun supporting the movements of Russia even though Russia has severed airlinks with the nation.
In a televised statement on Tuesday, President Putin and his staff announced plans to coordinate with France in attacking ISIS strongholds. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said:
A massive airstrike is targeting ISIL sites in Syrian territory. The number of sorties has been doubled, which makes it possible to deliver powerful pinpoint strikes upon ISIL fighters all throughout the Syrian territory.
Russia has sent cruise missiles and long-range bombers toward ISIS targets and has since fired 34 of the missiles, with 266 ISIS targets hit by the bombers. President Putin said, “We will search for them everywhere, no matter where they are hiding. We will find them in any place on the planet and will punish them.”
In the last 48 days, the Russian air force has flown at least 2,300 combat missions targeting the ISIS militias and their leaders. Putin also announced a $50 million reward for information leading to the terrorists responsible for the bomb placed aboard the Metrojet. Putin and French President François Hollande are meeting on November 26 to discuss further maneuvers toward the ISIS regime.
The conjoined efforts of France and Russia comes just days after ISIS took responsibility for carrying out a coordinated attack on the denizens of Paris.
(via NY Times)