MOSCOW, May 5 (RIA Novosti) - Friday is a day of mourning in Russia and Armenia for the 113 passengers who were killed when their Airbus airliner plunged into the Black Sea Wednesday.
Flags are flying at half-mast and entertainment events and television programs have been cancelled in both countries. Soccer matches have also been called off in Armenia Saturday as the Caucasus republic enters its second day of mourning.
The Armenian Embassy in Moscow has opened a book of condolences.
Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov this week ordered that a commission be established to provide aid to each family who lost relatives when the A-320 crashed six kilometers (3.7 miles) of the Russian coast.
The jet was flying from the Armenian capital, Yerevan, to an airport servicing the popular Russian resort of Sochi.
Armavia Airlines, the owner of the plane, said each family would receive about $20,000 in compensation, and the Armenian government said it would give the families $3,400 to cover funeral costs.
