Muscovites laid floral tributes at the headquarters of the famed Alexandrov Ensemble choir on Sunday, after at least 60 of its members were killed in the crash of a Russian military plane en route to Syria.<br /><br /> They had been heading to a Russian air base in Latakia to entertain troops in the run-up to the New Year.<br /><br /> All 92 people on board the Soviet-era Tupolev plane died early on Monday morning when it crashed into the Black Sea, shortly after taking off from Sochi.<br /><br /> Founded in 1928, The Alexandrov Ensemble, better known internationally as the Red Army Choir,<br />was a symbol of Russia, performing not only in war zones but also to music lovers at concert halls across the world.<br /><br /> #TU154: All but 3 choir singers of Alexandrov Ensemble were aboard plane – lead solo singer Vadim Ananyev confirms https://t.co/YBd2Z1tOTW pic.twitter.com/zel5clp4wE— RT (@RT_com) 25 décembre 2016<br /><br /> #AlexandrovEnsemble’s head, 64 members were on board of Russian #Tu154 plane https://t.co/6S8l7gKwGG pic.twitter.com/ay6HY3bTE0— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) 25 décembre 2016<br /><br /> Speaking In St. Petersburg, Putin addressed reporters and looked visibly shaken by the tragedy.<br /><br /> “I would like to express deep condolences to the families of our citizens who died this morning in the Black Sea,” he said.<br /><br /> “A Special Commission headed by the Minister of Transport will closely investigate the circumstances of the crash and everything will be done to support the families of the victims. A Day of Mourning will be observed tomorrow across Russia.”<br /><br /> Monday, December 26 declared national day of mourning for #Tu154 crash victims – Putin https://t.co/YBd2Z1tOTW pic.twitter.com/gEj4NPXRIJ— RT (@RT_com) 25 décembre 2016<br />
