Russian military Tu-154 plane carrying 91 people flying from Sochi to Syria disappears

A Russian plane has disappeared from radar over Sochi while en route to Syria.

The plane took off from Sochi (pictured) and then disappeared about 20 minutes later about 5:40am local time

The plane had departed at 5:40 am local time from Adler, south of the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, and was conducting a routine flight to Russia's Hmeimim airbase outside the coastal Syrian city of Latakia, the ministry said.

There were nine members of the media on board, the ministry said

The ministry said the plane was carrying Russian servicemen as well as members of the Alexandrov Ensemble, the army's official musical group, who were headed to Syria to participate in New Year celebrations at the base.

Russian media is reporting the Tu-154 model plane went missing just minutes after it took off on the country's southwest coast bound for the Latakia province.

It is being reported 91 people were on board the plane when it vanished from radar, including members of the famous Alexandrov Ensemble military band (pictured, performing in 2015)

The Federal Air Transport Agency told RIA Novosti the flight was 'not civilian'.