Russian Crash: ISIS Role Carries Alarming Implications

There is growing evidence that Russian Metrojet Flight 9268 was brought down by a bomb planted by Islamic State terrorists. If that's the case, experts say it is a frightening change in tactics by the extremist group.

"I think there is a possibility that there was a bomb on board. And we're taking that very seriously," President Barack Obama said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said Thursday it was "more likely than not" that an explosive device brought the jetliner down. 

The Russian plane crashed over the Sinai Peninsula Saturday en route from the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg, killing all 224 people on board.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for bringing down the plane, saying the attack was in retaliation for Russia's air campaign against the terror group and others in Syria.  They've warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that they would also target him at home.

If ISIS did bomb the plane, it would be the Sunni extremists' largest act of transnational terrorism so far – and brings into question their capabilities and what kind of terrorist acts they could carry out in the future.

CBN News Terrorism Analyst Erick Stakelbeck says the possibility that ISIS was behind the plane crash has to be taken seriously.

"Yes, there is an Islamic insurgency, led by an ISIS affiliated group going on in northern Sinai where this plane crashed - that's the bottom line. That is a fact," Stakelbeck said. "So to see this group, this ISIS affiliated group based in northern Sinai claiming responsibility twice -- I think we have to examine it very closely," he said.

Analysts say the Sinai attack would be a first, and would signal that the Islamic State has become both capable of and interested in joining the terrifying ranks of global terrorism.

Some say the attack also underscores the failure of the U.S. coalition in Syria to deter jihadis.

As CBN's Gary Lane pointed out, investigators are trying to figure out how the terrorists could have placed a bomb on board the plane.

"What these aviation experts from the U.K. are going to be looking at is, was it possibly someone who worked for one of the airlines, a grounds crew person who actually went in and planted that bomb?" Lane said.

Forensic evidence from the blast site, including the airplane's black box, is still being analyzed.

Meanwhile in Russia, burials have begun for those killed in the crash -- a reminder of the enhanced security that is being discussed around the world.