Plans to hold a Commons vote on launching air strikes against Islamic State in Syria have been shelved amid concerns about Russia's intervention in the war-torn country.

David Cameron had been expected to ask for a mandate to extend RAF bombing raids against the extremist group when MPs return to Parliament this month.

But ministers have been taken aback by Vladimir Putin's dramatic decision this week to order air strikes in support of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

A government source confirmed last night that the planned vote on Syria is now 'not imminent' – and could be delayed for months while ministers try to build support for the idea. It might be delayed indefinitely.

Plans to hold a Commons vote on launching air strikes against Islamic State in Syria have been shelved amid concerns about Russia's airstrikes (pictured) in the country

Smoke rises after airstrikes in Kafr Nabel of the Idlib province, western Syria, which Russia bombed on Wednesday

The move came as Russia was warned to stop bombing Syria's moderate opposition and civilians.

Moscow claims to be targeting IS positions but Western intelligence suggests its planes are bombing areas where there are no IS forces.

One senior Tory warned the West may have to 'swallow' Russia's determination to prop up Assad in order to crush IS.

Crispin Blunt, who chairs the Commons foreign affairs committee, said Britain, the US and France should accept that the main objective was ending the civil war and defeating IS.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage said it was time to 'recognise Assad and Putin are on our side' in the war against terror.

Moscow claims to be targeting ISIS positions but Western intelligence suggests its planes are bombing areas where there are no ISIS forces (grab from footage taken from Russian Defense Ministry of bombing in Syria)

One senior Tory warned the West may have to 'swallow' Vladimir Putin's (pictured) determination to prop up Assad in order to crush IS

The RAF has been conducting bombing raids against IS forces in Iraq for the past 12 months, with at least 330 jihadis killed.

The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon have warned it is 'illogical' to attack IS in Iraq but not Syria, as the terror group itself does not recognise the border.

AIR RAIDS 'HELP EXTREMISTS' Britain and its allies warned Russia yesterday that its air attacks on Syria would help extremist groups. A tough statement issued by seven countries including the UK spoke of 'deep concern' over Russian bombing and the Kremlin's concentration of military power in the Syrian territory held by Bashar al-Assad. However, Moscow ignored the open warning from the West, carrying out fresh attacks and suggesting its operations would last for up to four months. The allies – Britain, the US, France, Turkey, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Qatar – called on Russia to halt its 'attacks on the Syrian opposition and civilians' and instead focus on Islamic State. Moscow said it hit 12 IS targets yesterday, although most of its strikes were in parts of Syria not dominated by the group. Advertisement

But they are bound by a pledge to seek Commons approval before extending routine military action into Syria.

Ministers want to mount bombing raids on IS's stronghold in the northern city of Raqqa and its supply lines into Iraq.

Although Russian forces are not deployed in these areas, ministers fear the intervention will make it harder to win public and political support for military action.

Ministers are also concerned that the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader will make it difficult to achieve consensus.

Although many Labour MPs and shadow ministers support intervention, Mr Corbyn has vowed to oppose it. At least 30 Conservative MPs are also opposed to any military action in Syria, as is the Scottish National Party.

French president Francois Hollande held a meeting with Mr Putin in Paris yesterday that failed to ease the growing tension. However, it was agreed that Russia and the coalition countries will inform each other when they are launching air strikes to avoid any conflict.