"With great sadness we received the news concerning the crash of the Russian Tu-154 plane, which was carrying our dear friends, who wanted to share with us and the people of Aleppo the joy of victory and festivities," Sputnik reported.

A Russian Defense Ministry Tu-154 plane on route to Syria with 92 people on board disappeared from radar shortly after take-off from the Black Sea resort city of Sochi. Fragments of the plane were discovered off the shore of Sochi.

The musicians from the choir of the Russian armed forces, the Alexandrov Ensemble, and nine journalists were on board of the aircraft that was en route to Hmeimim airbase in Syria for a New Year concert.