ReutersNo survivors are expected after a Russian military aircraft carrying at least 92 people crashed shortly after takeoff from an airport on the Black Sea coast early Sunday, according to the Russian military in a statement Sunday afternoon.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Monday will be an official day of mourning for the nation.
Scores presumed dead after Russian plane crashes
No survivors are expected after a Russian military plane carrying at least 92 people crashed minutes after takeoff near Sochi early Sunday. The cause is still being investigated.
“A thorough investigation of the causes of the disaster will be held, and everything possible will be done to support the families of the victims,” he added.
The casualties of the disaster including more than 60 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, a well-loved army choir and dance troupe that performs folk music and popular songs.
Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said the Tu-154 aircraft disappeared from radar minutes after departure about 5:30 a.m. Moscow time from Adler, an airport near the city of Sochi in Russia’s Krasnodar region. Fragments of the fuselage were later found in the Black Sea, he said.
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