WW3 FEARS: Almost half of Russians feel Syria crisis could spark new global conflict
NEARLY half of all Russians fear global military conflict could be sparked by growing tensions between Vladimir Putin and the West over Syria, a poll has shown.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin/War-ravaged Aleppo after a Russian airstrike
The survey found 48 per cent saw the probability of World War Three in the near future as high or very high.
Researchers from private opinions pollster Levada said 52 per cent approved of their country’s involvement in the Syrian conflict while 26 per cent had a negative or sharply negative attitude Russia’s intervention.
Those who thought Russia should continue the operation and those who thought that airstrikes should be stopped were divided 49 per cent against 28 per cent respectively, with 24 per cent finding the question too difficult to answer.
Alleged CHEMICAL strike hospitalises dozens in Aleppo
Volunteers remove casualties in the aftermath of an Aleppo airstrike
A separate poll conducted earlier this month by state-run research centre VTSIOM showed 73 per cent of Russians believed Western criticism of Mr Putin’s ruthless bombing of the Syrian city of Aleppo was unfounded and based on prejudice.
The airstrikes on the war-ravaged city began on September 30 after Moscow agreed to help Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad defeat rebel forces.
The policy was condemned by human rights groups and Western governments when it became clear hospitals, bakeries and other civilian sites were being targeted by Russian jets as they bombed rebel areas in the eastern suburbs of the city.
Vladimir Putin has been criticised by the West for his brutal bombing policy in Syria
A UN report, attacked by Russia as not having credibility, has also found the Syrian military has used chemical weapons at least twice in recent attacks.
This was denied by President Assad’s government which said terror groups including al-Qaeda splinter group the Nusra Front had used chemical weapons and rockets in a three-day offensive which killed at least 84 people, mostly women and children, in Aleppo.
Smoke rises over Aleppo after a counter-attack by rebel forces
The rebels launched a major counter-attack against government forces last Friday, aiming to break a siege on the insurgent-held eastern sector of the city.
A number of rebels groups took part in the attacks, including groups fighting under the Free Syrian army banner and Islamist militants. They dismissed as lies allegations they had used chemical weapons.