Turkey expresses condolences over Russian plane crash

Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Işık sent a message of condolence to his Russian counterpart on Dec. 25, Sergei Shoigu, after a Russian plane crashed in the Black Sea, reportedly killing all on board.

The Tu-154 aircraft belonging to the Russian Defense Ministry crashed in the Black Sea after it disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from Sochi on the way to Latakia with 92 people on board.

"I have learned with great sorrow that the Russian Defense Ministry's Tu-154 military transport aircraft departing the Russian city of Sochi crashed in the Black Sea, leaving the passengers and the crew aboard dead," Işık said in his message, according to a statement from the ministry.    
   
Işık also expressed his condolences to the families and the people of Russia.  
     
The aircraft was en route to Latakia to take part in a New Year's concert for Russian soldiers serving in Syria.
Among the 92 people onboard the crashed plane, eight were crew members, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.        

The ministry confirmed that there were also nine journalists along with musicians from the Red Army Choir or the Alexandrov Ensemble.