The Islamic State says it took advantage of a gap in security when it smuggled a soda can bomb into the cabin of the Russian passenger jet that broke apart over Egypt. After militants discovered a "way to compromise the security" at Sharm al-Sheikh Airport, "a bomb was smuggled onto the airplane, leading to the deaths of 219 Russians and five other crusaders only a month after Russia's thoughtless decision" to begin airstrikes in Syria, the terrorist group's online magazine notes, per Reuters and AFP. The magazine, Dabiq, also published a photo allegedly showing the explosive—a can of Schweppes Gold and what looks like a detonator and switch—as well an unverified photo showing the passports of dead passengers.
"The divided crusaders of the East and West thought themselves safe in their jets as they cowardly bombarded the Muslims of the Caliphate," the statement continues. "And so revenge was exacted upon those who felt safe in the cockpits." In the same magazine released Wednesday, ISIS claims to have killed two captives: Norwegian Ole Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad, 48, and Fan Jinghui, 50, of China, per the AP. The group, which demanded ransom for the men's release in September, says they were "executed after being abandoned by [infidel] nations and organizations." It isn't clear when or where they were captured. Also on Wednesday, Sweden raised its terror level to "high threat," reports the Local. Officials are expected to brief the media on the move later today. (More Islamic State stories.)