Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would keep supporting Mali's military rulers after insurgents demanded Russia leave and following setbacks including the loss of Kidal.
The decision follows a surprise offensive by an al Qaeda affiliate and a Tuareg-led separatist group, which killed Defence Minister Sadio Camara in a weekend suicide bombing.
Russia's Africa Corps has withdrawn from Kidal, while Moscow used helicopter gunships and strategic bombers to contain insurgents, raising questions over its security role and wider interests in Africa.
After losing a key town and minister, why is Russia doubling down on its commitment to Mali's embattled junta?
Russia claims a major victory in Mali, but its forces retreated. What really happened in the battle for Kidal?
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