Was Russian Plane Crash A Terror Attack? 92 People Dead In Black Sea Tragedy

Russian officials are considering all possible reasons to explain a military plane crash in the Black Sea Sunday. The Tu-154 plane, carrying 92 people, all presumed dead, was headed to Russia’s air base in Syria when it disappeared from radar following takeoff from Sochi, reports said.

Around 9:45 a.m., local time, the Russian ministry said rescue teams discovered fragments of the plane less than a mile from the Sochi’s coast along the Black Sea. The plane was carrying 92 people, including members of the Alexandrov military choir, which was to give a New Year performance at Russia’s military base in Syria, and Dr. Yelizaveta Glinka, known as Doctor Liza in Russia for her charity work, who was headed to Syria with a shipment of medicine to donate to Syrian hospitals.

It’s believed the plane crashed into the sea about 2 minutes after takeoff.

A Russian official told the Associated Press the crash may have been caused by a technical glitch or malfunction. Initially, Viktor Ozerov, head of Russia’s defense affairs committee, told news agency RIA Novosti he “totally excludes” terrorism as the cause of the crash. However, Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov later said the “entire spectrum” of reasons were being investigated, including the option of a terrorist attack.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the country would hold a national day of mourning Monday to remember the 92 people killed in the crash. While speaking on the incident in televised remarks, Putin said the government would “conduct a thorough investigation into the reasons and do everything to support the victims' families."

After scouring the Black Sea for survivors, the Russian Defense Ministry announced all people on board Tu-154 were considered dead. Rescuers reportedly have recovered several bodies while ships, drones and divers were searching the Black Sea for more.