Russians killed in Mali hotel attack: foreign ministry

Several Russians were killed in the attack by jihadist gunmen on a hotel in Mali that killed at least 21 people, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Russian news agencies today.
"As of the morning of November 21, we can confirm that Russian citizens are among the dead," Zakharova told RIA Novosti news agency, citing information from the Russian embassy.
"After we receive reliable information on the numbers and names, the foreign ministry will make a statement on this."
The ministry yesterday afternoon had initally denied that any Russians were in the hotel during the attack.
In August, a Russian UN contractor was among those rescued from a hostage siege at another hotel in central Mali.