Lightning reaction from Putin: Russian jets pound terrorist strongholds in Raqqa

Just a few hours after Vladimir Putin was presented with a report stating that the downing of the Russian plane over Sinai was the work of terrorists, a fierce response followed, reports the Patria news agency.

Intense airstrikes by Russian forces are underway on Raqqa, a city in northern Syria that has been taken over by Islamic State jihadists and is considered their "capital".

-At this moment, Russian forces are conducting intense airstrikes in Raqqa, showing that they too are becoming aware of the threat posed by the Islamic State, a senior French official told Reuters.

Recall, Putin announced revenge against ISIL terrorists for the downing of the Russian plane, in which 224 passengers and crew members died. In Egypt, two people suspected of helping terrorists plant a bomb on the plane have been arrested. Activists on social networks confirm reports of new airstrikes in Raqqa, writes Index.