US Official Says ISIS Bombed Russian Plane That Crashed In Egypt

On Saturday, a Russian plane crashed in Egypt, killing 224 people. ISIS claimed responsibility for the crash, which Russian and Egyptian officials promptly denied.

BREAKING: ISIS claims it downed Russian plane that crashed in Egypt. 224 people were killed. — Elite Daily (@EliteDaily) October 31, 2015

UPDATED: Egyptian and Russian officials dismiss notion that ISIS shot down plane: https://t.co/YAaLNvKsyB pic.twitter.com/6MJx24QSR7 — The Hill (@thehill) October 31, 2015

But according to CNN, the US intelligence community now believes the crash was likely caused by a bomb planted on the plane by ISIS or one of its affiliates. A US official reportedly told CNN,

There is a definite feeling it was an explosive device planted in luggage or somewhere on the plane.

This is not an official conclusion, but it's based on the latest US intelligence, the unnamed US official stated. An unnamed US official reportedly told NBC News something along the same lines.

BREAKING: ISIS bomb may have brought down Russian jet, U.S. official says https://t.co/SXcIyFXBDS pic.twitter.com/WVLHvdqKgD — NBC News (@NBCNews) November 4, 2015

The government of the United Kingdom reached a similar conclusion on Wednesday, releasing a statement on the matter. The statement says,

While the investigation is still ongoing we cannot say categorically why the Russian jet crashed. But as more information has come to light we have become concerned that the plane may well have been brought down by an explosive device.

These developments will undoubtedly put pressure on the Russian government as it continues to receive criticism for bombing Syrian rebels while claiming to bomb ISIS.

After month of Russia mainly not bombing ISIS, Syrian troops reopen Aleppo, closed by ISIS. https://t.co/uhh6xPZwpr pic.twitter.com/o84O0SXzEs — Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) November 4, 2015

U.S., UK: ISIS bomb likely brought down Russian plane. Putin has some choices to make. — ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) November 4, 2015

If US intelligence turns out to be true, it also means ISIS is getting much bolder while the conflict in Syria becomes increasingly convoluted.

Citations: First on CNN: U.S. officials believe ISIS planted bomb on Russian plane (CNN), Sinai plane crash: UK flights from Sharm el-Sheikh (UK Government)