Russia's official state news agency TASS reported that International Olympic Committee members have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims.

Anyone wishing to pay tribute to the 71 people who died can do so in a specially-formed area in the Olympic Village.

The Saratov Airlines plane crashed shortly after taking off from Moscow Domodedovo Airport, claiming the lives of all 65 passengers and the six crew members on-board.

It crashed in a field around 40 kilometres away in the Ramensky District, one of the 36 in the Moscow Oblast region.

The plane was scheduled to travel 1,500 kilometres south east to the town of Orsk.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, according to Russian international television network RT. 

Russia’s figure skating team, winners of the Olympic silver medal at Pyeongchang 2018 yesterday, paid their respects to those killed. 

"Each member of Team Russia would like to express our sincerest condolences to the loved ones of those who died in the plane crash," team captain Ekaterina Bobrova, an ice dancer, was reported as saying by RT. 

"It is a huge sorrow for our entire nation. 

"Against the backdrop of the tragedy, everything around it pales in comparison. 

"Knowing that, we tried hard today to perform as best we could."

Yesterday was declared as a day of mourning in Russia’s in Orenburg Oblast, where Orsk is located, following the crash.

Among the countries to express its condolences is the United States via a White House statement.

"The United States is deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of those on board Saratov Airlines Flight 703," it read.

"We send our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of Russia."