has been launched. this was an aircraft en route to syria and to russia s military base there in latakia. on board were more than 60 members of the russian army s official military choir and dance troop, the red army choir oral electsand oral or alexandrov. they also were transported journalists to syria. me amy colleagues have taken this trip in the past. russian officials say there were at least nine journalists on board this flight, all apparently from russia news organizations who had been asked to cover the musical performances in syria. vladimir putin has offered his condolences and declared a day of national mourning for the passengers and crew who lost their lives and appointed m