How Russia is using propaganda to promote its war in Syria

Russian air strikes have been increasing against targets held by Isis in Syria, as Putin's offensive continues.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that in a 24 hour period there were 34 air strikes on the city of Palmyra, which was captured by Isis in May, which are said to have killed 15 Isis fighters and destroyed 10 vehicles.

Air strikes against Raqqa, Isis's de facto capital in Syria, killed two fighters, while other raids took place north of Aleppo and close to Latakia.

Patrick Cockburn observed in the i paper on Wednesday morning that Russian coverage of the strikes has been unified and uncritical:

With rock music blaring, the Russian jets scramble from Syrian air fields, heading off to save the Syrian people from the clutches of Isis.

Not since Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine last year has there been such a coordinated message across print media, television — how most Russians get their news — and news websites. The frenzied message delivered to millions of Russians is clear: Involvement in Syria is warranted and effective.

A prime example is a news bulletin on Russia's state-owned Channel One, which began with a reporter declaring that Isis was on the verge of collapse in Raqqa:

After Russian aircraft began bombing... the militants began fleeing and surrendering.

In addition the Turkish military have claimed that eight Turkish F-16 fighters patrolling the Turkish-Syrian border had been threatened by a Russian Mig-29 and later by an anti-aircraft missile system.

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Russian actions were:

very serious - even dangerous. It doesn't look like an accident, and we've seen two of them over the weekend.

Meanwhile, a recent YouGov poll showed that a majority of the UK backed RAF air strikes on Isis in Syria.

Last month, the United Kingdom pledged £100 million in aid in response to the Syria conflict, which included £15 million to UNICEF and £20 million to the UN’s refugee agency, the UNHCR.

More:British people want the UK to bomb Isis in Syria

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