Russia's defense ministry has said that there is no sign of any survivors from the military plane that crashed into the Black Sea off the Sochi coast en route to Syria.

The Tu-154 plane crashed shortly after take-off at 5:40 am local time from the southern city of Adler. Fragments from the aircraft have been found near the coast. Preliminary analysis suggests the plane may have experienced technical problems. The ministry said the 92 people onboard included Russian servicemen, more than 60 Red Army Choir members and nine journalists.