Russia halts all flights to Egypt pending improved security

President Vladimir Putin Friday ordered all outbound flights to Egypt halted until security is improved and the cause of the Metrojet Airbus A321 crash is established. Until now, Moscow resisted UK and US claims of a bomb causing the crash. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin’sm decision was taken at the recommendation of the Russian security service. He said that the return home of Russian citizens will be “ensured.” However, 30,000-40,000 Russians currently visiting Egypt may be stranded along with the 20,000 British holidaymakers whom the British government is struggling to evacuate from Sharm el-Sheikh.