BREAKING: Russian Military Plane Crashes In Black Sea; 92 Onboard

BREAKING: Russian Military Plane Crashes In Black Sea; 92 Onboard

A Russian military plane carrying 92 people from Moscow disappeared from radar 20 minutes after it took off from the resort of Sochi where it landed at Adler airport for refueling.

According to defence ministry, Tu-154 was flying to the Syrian province of Latakia carrying sevice personnel, reporters and members of the famed Alexandrov military band, which was suppose to perform on New Year for the deployed Russian troops in Syria.

In the released statement the ministry added fragments of the plane has been found about 1.5 km from the Black Sea coast of the city of Sochi and at the depth of 50 to 70 meters.

The local reports said flying conditions were favorable and no survivors have yet been found.

Meanwhile, investigation has also been launched to find whether transport safety norms were violated.

Tu-154 has seen dozens of fatal incidents. In April 2010 it crashed in Smolensk, western part of Russia. All the 96 people on board were killed including Polish President Lech Kaczynski.

In October 2001 Siberian Airlines operated Tu-154 was shot down over the Black Sea and 78 people were killed.