Russia plays down IS group’s jet attack claim

Moscow has played down an Islamic State-linked group’s reported claim that it downed a Russian passenger jet in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula.
The Airbus A321 crashed into a mountainous area shortly after losing radar contact near cruising altitude, with all 224 passengers and crew thought to have been killed.
A statement attributed to the Wilayat Sinai (Sinai Province) group said: “The fighters of the Islamic State were able to down a Russian plane over Sinai province that was carrying over 220 Russian crusaders. They were all killed, thanks be to God.”
The statement was circulated on Twitter and also posted on the Aamaq website, which acts as a semi-official news agency for IS.
However, security sources in Egypt said an initial examination suggests the plane suffered a technical fault.
Russia’s transport minister also urged caution, telling the Interfax news agency the claims “can’t be considered accurate”.
It is unclear whether militants in the region would have the capability to attack the plane, which was flying at around 31,000ft, reports Sky News.