What role has Russia played in Mali’s security and the Sahel region?

Russian security forces provided air support to prevent rebels from capturing key positions in Mali, but the government has struggled to take back control of towns and cities from Tuareg and al-Qaeda-linked fighters. Russian forces withdrew from the northern city of Kidal after a massive coordinated offensive by separatist and al-Qaeda-affiliated groups, raising questions about the effectiveness of Russian defence support in the Sahel region. The security situation in Mali remains volatile.