On December 25, 2016, a Tupolev Tu-154 vanished from Russian radar 20 minutes after take off. The plane departed from Sochi, Russia at 5:20 am (originating in Chkalovsky Airport ^[1], stopping in Sochi to refuel) and failed to check back with Russian aircraft control at 5:40 am while over Russian territorial water in the Black Sea. The plane is owned by the Russian Ministry of Defence.

91 people were on board, including 83 passengers and 8 crew members.

Several of their passengers include the prestigious Alexandrov Ensemble folk dance troupe. The destination of the plane is believed to be the Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia Governorate, Syria.

The Russian defense ministry confirmed that the missing Russian Tupolev Tu-154 military plane crashed and the wreckage was found in the Black Sea near Sochi.

Russian officials previously believed the plane most likely crashed in mountainous area of Krasnodar Territory. ^[1]