Roundup: Russia vows to punish terrorists as plane crash confirmed to be caused by terror attack

Russia promised Tuesday to take prompt measures to find and punish all people involved in the Oct. 31 Russian plane crash over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, which was earlier confirmed by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) to have been caused by a terrorist attack.

"We can definitely say that this is a terrorist act," FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov told Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting held late Monday evening on the outcome of the plane crash investigation.

"According to our experts, a self-made explosive device equivalent up to 1 kg of TNT was set off on board, which explains why the fragments of the aircraft were scattered over a large area," an online transcript published by the Kremlin on Tuesday quoted Bortnikov as saying.

Bortnikov added that the investigation of aircraft debris, passengers' personal belongings and baggage revealed traces of an explosive.

Putin has ordered all Russian security services to find and punish the terrorists that were involved in the plane crash.

"We must be doing this without any limitations, to know each of the terrorists by name. We will be searching for them everywhere, no matter where they hide. We will find them in any place of the world and they will be punished," Putin said.

He added that Russia would also appeal to partners, namely people who share the moral and ethical values that underlie Russian policies of foreign affairs, security and anti-terrorism, to find and punish the terrorists.

Putin stressed that the military operations in Syria would not only continue, but also be strengthened "to let criminals realize that retribution is inevitable."

Meanwhile, Putin warned that "all those who are attempting to provide assistance to criminals" would suffer from the consequences of such a cover-up.

The FSB has offered a reward of 50 million U.S. dollars for information about those responsible for the plane crash, which "will contribute to the detention of the criminals."

The Russia-bound Airbus A321 crashed on Oct. 31 over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula shortly after taking off from the Sharm el-Sheikh resort, killing all 224 people aboard.

The extremist group Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the crash as a revenge on Russia for its airstrikes conducted since Sept. 30 in Syria against the IS fighters and facilities.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Putin on Tuesday ordered law enforcement agencies to enhance domestic security.

Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said that the ministry is fully prepared to quickly respond to any possible terrorist threat, stressing that detective and policing measures were taken to enhance the security of citizens.

Meanwhile, the Federal Air Transport Agency has asked Russian airlines to check information on aviation security levels at airports in Turkey, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and some European countries in case of potential terrorist threats.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the ministry is applying for assistance from all foreign partners to find and punish those responsible for the plane crash.

Peskov confirmed that security service agencies in the country have started looking for details of the terrorists.

The spokesman stressed that all anti-terror acts taken and would be taken by Russia strictly comply with international laws, and he reiterated the need to form an international anti-terrorism coalition. Endi