Six Russian air crew working for Volga-Dnepr Airlines were among 19 people killed during the terrorist attack at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, the capital of Mali in western Africa, on Friday.
Malian and international troops stormed the Radisson Blu hotel to free guests and staff being held hostage. Two gunmen were killed.
Volga-Dnepr Airlines issued the following official statement at the weekend:
"On 18-19 November, an AN-124-100 aircraft operated by Volga-Dnepr Airlines was carrying construction machinery from Oslo (Norway) to Bamako.
"After completion of the transportation, 12 employees of the airline were staying at the Radisson Blu Hotel to rest before their next flight. On November 20 at around 7am local time the hotel was attacked by armed militants of the al-Murabitoun terrorist group.
"Six Volga-Dnepr crew members were rescued during the rescue operation by Special Forces and they are now staying safe onboard the aircraft within the airport’s protected area.
"The victims of the tragedy were identified with the assistance of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Mali and we are deeply saddened to have to confirm that six Volga-Dnepr crew members lost their lives during the terrorist attack in Bamako.
"The Airline’s Flight Operation Control Center is working with the Embassies of the Russian Federation and France in Mali and a Boeing 737 aircraft is being prepared to fly to Mali to bring our deceased colleagues back home to Russia.
"At this time, our priority is to provide the utmost support, comfort and assistance to the relatives of the Volga-Dnepr employees killed in the tragic events in Mali.
"Volga-Dnepr Airlines expresses its deepest condolences to the families and friends of our dear colleagues. The Airline has declared a period of mourning and all the flags at its Head Office have been lowered in respect to our lost crew members."
The six victims have been named as:
Alexander V. Kononenko AN-124-100 Flight Navigator. Born on 14.11.1963
Vladimir V. Kudryashov AN-124-100 Radio Operator. Born on 18.04.1975
Konstantin V. Preobrazhenskiy AN-124-100 Flight Engineer. Born on 01.10.1959
Sergey A. Yurasov Load Master. Born on 14.03.1963
Stanislav N. Dumanskiy Aircraft Mechanic, Airframe and Engines. Born on 25.09.1973
Pavel A. Kudryavtsev Aircraft Mechanic, Airframe and Engines. Born on 25.08.1988
