Russia has for many years been an active supporter of the Kurdish struggle, particularly during the soviet years, funneling support usually through the PKK and its leftist anticedents. This support for the Kurds dropped off as Russia was distracted by the fragmentation of the soviet empire, but it is back, and nowhere is this clearer than Syria where the Russians are supporting the YPG, as indeed are the PKK in military terms. The Russians are giving more aid militarily to the YPG than the americans do, or indeed with half an eye on Turkey actually want to offer. And this alliance is getting results, and we will probably see the Turkish/syrian border closed off to Turkey. And Reg will not be able to do a thing about it, his military have told him not to get involved in Syria....... Mind you when he becomes the supreme leader who knows what he will order the military to do.