Bomb downed plane in Egypt, says Russian security chief

MOSCOW

The Russian plane that crashed in Egypt on Oct. 31, killing all 224 passengers and crew, was brought down by a bomb, the Russian security chief said late Monday.

According to Alexander Bortnikov, head of Russia’s FSB security service, a bomb downed the plane.

The plane crashed because of a "terrorist attack", said security chief Bortnikov, according to a statement from the Kremlin after Russian President Vladimir Putin had a meeting with the security chief, the defense minister, the foreign minister regarding the passenger plane that crashed on Oct. 31 in Egypt.

Putin said that it was not the first time Russia saw "this type of barbaric terrorist attacks" and that Moscow would find the perpetrators and punish them.

"Our aerial campaign in Syria not only should continue but they should be strengthened enough to make the criminals realize that revenge is inevitable," he said.

Putin also ordered Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to cooperate with other countries for the capture of the perpetrators.

The Russian Airbus A321 aircraft crashed on Oct. 31 shortly after taking off from the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, killing all 224 people on board.

Meanwhile, the FSB has promised $50 million for anyone bringing information leading to the capture of the perpetrators.