Explosive Residue Found at Tu-154 Crash Site

Updating a previous report,

- Russian Federal Security Service personnel have found traces of an explosive called 'hexogen' at the Tu-154 crash site in southern Russia.

- Although the specific causes for the crashes are still under investigation, a group called the Islambouli Brigades has claimed credit via a website known for militant Islamic content.

- Of special interest to investigators is the location of two listed female passengers with Chechen surnames who are reportedly the only passengers about whom relatives have not inquired. Chechen rebels have been blamed for past suicide bombings.

Since the debris fields from the crashes encompass wide swaths of land area, it's expected that the searches will require considerably more time. (via Wizbang)