Latest Updates on Russian Defense Ministry's Tu-154 Aircraft Crash in Black Sea as World Mourning the Victims

On Sunday morning, the Russian Defense Ministry's Tu-154 aircraft en route to Syria with 92 people on board crashed into the Black Sea shortly after refueling at an airport in the Russian resort city of Adler. Fragments of the plane were discovered 1 mile from the sea shore of Sochi.

Most of the passengers were members of the famous army choir of the Russian armed forces, the Alexandrov Ensemble, who were traveling from Moscow to Hmeymim airbase in Syria to put on a New Year concert for Russian troops deployed there. Nine journalists of Russia's TV channels and famous Russian humanitarian activist Elizaveta Glinka, also known as Dr. Lisa, were aboard the plane as well.

This is What Leaders Around the World Said About Tu-154 Crash:

Operation at Tu-154 Crash Site to Continue Round-the-Clock - Russian MoD

Donetsk People's Republic Head Announces Mourning Day Over Tu-154 CrashWorld Mourning Victims of Russian Tu-154 Plane Crash in Black Sea

"At night time, the operation in the area of the crash is carried out non-stop and will continue around the clock. The ships in the coastal zone are equipped with high-capacity lighting floodlight installations. The units of the Southern Military District conduct a visual check of the coastline to detect any items related to the plane crash," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"The supposed location of Tu-154 plane crash has been determined. Ships with side-scan sonar systems have started to examine the bottom [of the sea]."
Alexander Zakharchenko, the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in Ukraine southeast, has announced a mourning day over the deadly plane crash in Russia's south.

VANISHED RUSSIAN TU-154 AIRCRAFT POSSIBLY HAS CRASHED IN MOUNTAINS IN KRASNODAR KRAI -- REPORT

Disappeared Russian TU-154 Aircraft Possibly Crashed in Mountains – Source

The Russian aircraft TU-154 most, which had disappeared from from radar shortly after take-off in Sochi Sunday, likely has crashed in the mountains in Krasnodar Territory in the south of the country, a source in local security services told RIA Novosti Sunday.

BREAKING NEWS: Aircraft belonging to Russia's Defense Ministry with at least 91 onboard disappears from radar after departure in Sochi (TASS)

Russian Tu-154 aircraft with 91 people aboard missing over the Black Sea, the Defense ministry says

Journalists & musicians were aboard due to take part in a New Year's concert at Russian airbase in Syria - MoD

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was personally coordinating the rescue efforts, and President Vladimir Putin has received official reports on the incident.

Aircraft belonging to Russia's Defense Ministry with at least 91 onboard disappears from radar after departure in Sochi (TASS)
Unconfirmed reports say missing Russian plane was flying to Syria's Latakia province