GETTY Vladimir Putin is preparing to launch attacks on ISIS in Syria

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The superpower has brought in 28 fighter aircraft and thousands of soldiers to the war-torn Middle East country to support the Assad regime. That puts Russia in direct opposition to a US-led coalition which has brought military action against the Syrian government. The US has accused Syria of a series of atrocities against its own people.

But Putin said backing Assad was the only way to defeat the terrorism rapidly growing in the area. In a televised interview Putin said action against Assad's government would "create a situation" seen in countries such as Libya "where all the state institutions are disintegrated". He added: "There is no other solution to the Syrian crisis than strengthening the effective government structures and rendering them help in fighting terrorism." And although the Russian president said there were no plans "right now" to put boots on the ground in Syria, he would continue to back Assad's "legitimate government".

IG ISIS troops in Syria are making advances towards Damascus

IG Children recently carried out executions in the now ISIS-controlled heritage site of Palmyra

Putins calls come as Britons also back a military offensive against ISIS. Findings of a poll released today show nearly half (46 per cent) want troops on the ground fighting terrorists in Syria. Only 31 per cent of those asked were against such an operation. The survey, carried out by Sky News, also found almost three quarters backed bombing specific targets in the region. It came weeks after it was revealed the Government had killed two Britons fighting for ISIS in a drone attack in Syria. Assad's regime is at war with ISIS but the west is carrying out air strikes against both sides of the conflict.

Palmyra after ISIS Tue, August 22, 2017 Islamic State fighters in Syria have reportedly blown up the ancient ruins of Palmyra, an ancient World Heritage home to renowned Roman-era ruins. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 51 A picture of the Arc du Triomphe before and after it was destroyed

There is no other solution to the Syrian crisis than strengthening the effective government structures and rendering them help in fighting terrorism Putin

Russia, an ally of Syria, has waded in over recent weeks, setting up a base in the country. From there Putin's forces aim to carry out attacks on ISIS strongholds in the Middle East, as well as US-backed rebels against Assad. The Russia president has also sent his generals to Baghdad to co-ordinate a policy with Iran and Iraq against the terror group. The opposition between America and Russia, which is also under pressure from NATO for the annexation of the Crimea, gave a sign of softening last week when US Secretary of State John Kerry talked of combining their efforts against ISIS, also known as ISIL.

IG French ISIS jihadis fighting in the Middle East in a still from a YouTube video

DIGITALGLOBE Satellite image of Russia's base in Syria

However, the sticking point remains Putin's alliance with Assad. Kerry said: "Would we welcome Russian help in going against ISIL? Obviously. We have talked about it for some period of time.

GETTY Obama and Putin, pictured in Northern Ireland in 2013, are due to meet Monday