"As of this morning, November 21, we can confirm that there are Russian citizens among the victims. Once the ministry receives reliable information about the number and names, it will make an appropriate statement," she said.

MOSCOW, November 21. /TASS/ There are Russian citizens among the people killed by the terrorist attack in Mali, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova told TASS on Saturday.

Putin expresses his condolences to President of Mali following terrorist attack

On Friday, extremists attacked the Radisson hotel in the capital of Bamako taking hostage 170 people - 140 guests and 30 employees of the hotel.

Special units of the armed forces of Mali, with the support of the French security services began to assault the building and pushed the attacking troops to the upper floors, where an intense battle continued.

At that time, the armed forces with the assistance from dozens of US militaries withdrew hostages from the hotel.

The Al-Mourabitoun group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita said that 19 people became victims of the attack and also seven were injured. During the assault two militants were killed.