Russia: Al-Baghdadi, Leader Of ISIS, Killed In Airstrike

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Russia is claiming that a key leader of ISIS has been killed in an airstrike.

If true, it could be a major development in the war against the Islamic State Group.

Russia said Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a Russian strike in late May along with other senior group commanders attending a meeting in Syria.

Russia says the military began planning the hit after getting word that IS leaders were going to gather.

The anti-Islamic State coalition led by the United States said it cannot confirm the report.

In:
• Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
• Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
• Russia