Earlier in July, Fathi visited Moscow and held a meeting with Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov. During the visit, Fathi announced that the investigation has entered its final stages.
The minister also invited the Russian Transport Ministry experts to visit Egypt in order to resolve the remaining issues. The Russian side said that the visit depends on Egypt's fulfillment of its obligations on ensuring airport security. Later, Sokolov said that Russian flight safety experts may visit Egypt in September.
On October 31, 2015, Airbus A321 operated by the Russian airline Kogalymavia crashed in the Sinai Peninula. The plane, carrying 224 people, was heading to St. Petersburg from the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh. Russia's Investigative Committee has officially classified the plane crash as a terrorist attack.
