Why no Russian Kashgar

Why did neither Russia or the Soviets never even attempt to gain control of Kashgar? They intervened militarily, tried control the postal service, and there was real fear by the Chinese that clashes between Muslim and Russian residents would be used as a pretext for invasion. So why did that invasion never materialize and what would be needed to change that?
 
The Russian Empire had more to worry about in the Far East (especially amid growing tensions with Japan) during the time period in question and had a myriad domestic issues simmering under the surface. The last thing they needed was an aggressive war halfway around the world.

As for the Soviets, they probably saw no reason to. Most interventions they made in China were in the form of support for local governments and/or material aid to anti-Japanese forces.
 
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