Russian plane with 91 on board missing
A Russian Tu-154 aircraft with 91 people aboard, including a famed military band, has disappeared over the Black Sea shortly after takeoff from the resort town of Sochi, the defence ministry says.
The ministry says the plane was carrying the famous Alexandrov military band for a concert at the Russian air base in Syria.
A total of 83 passengers and eight crew were on board when the plane dropped off radar early on Sunday.
Emergency services are searching for the plane, a Soviet-designed three-engine airliner, the ministry said.
Nine journalists were among the passengers, according to the Interfax news agency.
Russian media reports say the plane disappeared over the sea a few minutes after takeoff.
Interfax reported that the rescuers already have determined the location of the crash, but there has been no official confirmation.
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was personally co-ordinating the rescue efforts, and President Vladimir Putin has received official reports on the incident.
