The Russians have distanced themselves from Assad, the great Assad who let Jihadis plan attacks on US forces from Syria, allowed their camps in Syria, who had to hand over Saddam’s brother to Allied forces, who let’s missiles and weapons be funneled to Israel’s enemies through Syria, Assad, the ally of Iran and Soleimani. Assad’s 12% minority rule days are numbered.
If there are many reasons for the rise of ISIS, Assad’s the main one and blame to his sponsors in Moscow too.