They’ll likely change their tune if he’s successful. If he’s not...
This isn’t Crimea.
Syria could be for Putin’s Russia what Afghanistan was for the Soviet Union.
Russians have no desire to relive the Afghan adventure.
“They’ll likely change their tune if he’s successful. If he’s not...”
From the looks of the Great Terrorist Migration (to Europe mostly, and here somewhat), I doubt Russia has to spend much time there. There won’t be any terrorists left to fight in Syria soon and Russia will withdraw from combat.
Putin, understandably, will be a national hero.