MOSCOW. May 24 (Interfax) - The work at the site where the Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft of the Russian Defense Ministry crashed into the Black Sea off the Sochi coast in late December 2016 has almost been completed, and the ministry is planning to make public its final findings regarding the cause of the tragedy shortly, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"We completed the work there just a few weeks ago, I mean, the work at the crash site, on the sea surface and on the seabed, in searching for all the essential parts. We are 99% sure that we have a final theory of what caused the crash," Shoigu said at Russia's Federation Council on Wednesday.
"I believe we are going to receive the final data and voice the final theory shortly," he said.
The Defense Ministry is taking an "especially meticulous" approach toward the inquiry into the plane crash, he said.
"We need this one percent to be absolutely certain and to be absolutely honest with everybody," Shoigu said.
The Tu-154 en route to Syria crashed into the Black Sea near the Sochi coast shortly after takeoff on December 25, 2016. All the 92 people aboard were killed.