OREANDA-NEWS. Belarus mourns together with Russia today, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said in the message of condolences which he sent to Russia President Vladimir Putin.

“Our country feels deep sorrow and compassion today – Belarusian people are devastated by the news about the crash of the Tu-154 plane heading from Sochi to Syria. This tragedy is very painful for us, and Belarus mourns together with Russia today. In this difficult moment, we share this tremendous grief with you,” the message of condolences reads.

The Belarusian President remarked that this was a huge loss for the world culture as the members of the renowned Ensemble of Song and Dance of the Soviet Army named after A. V. Alexandrov, including its creative director Valery Khalilov, were among the victims.