MOSCOW, November 5 (RIA Novosti) — The growing influence of Islamic State militants poses a threat to Russia's security, and there is a possibility that these extremists are supported by Western security services, retired Lt. Gen. Nikolai Pushkarev, formerly of the Russian Armed Forces’ Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) told RIA Novosti.
"There are threats. The extremists use Islam for political destabilization of a number of states. These events will not lead to a good outcome. They have stated that they will attack America," Pushkarev said.
However, there are also "reasons to believe that US and British intelligence agencies may support the Islamic extremists to threaten the territorial integrity of Russia."
"The top of these movements may be under influence by NATO agents. As for Russia's involvement in these events, there should not be a direct intervention. Since there are many Muslims living in Russia, direct intervention may lead to undesirable consequences," Pushkarev stated.
Russia should help with "non-military, diplomatic means, possibly economic," he told RIA Novosti, stressing that "Russia is interested in the Bashar Assad regime's survival, as it has very good relations with Syria".
The Islamic State is a Sunni extremist group that has been fighting the Syrian government since 2012. In June 2014, it launched an offensive in Iraq, seizing vast areas in both countries and announcing the establishment of an Islamic caliphate on the territories under its control.
The United States and a number of its allies have been carrying out airstrikes against IS targets in Iraq since August. In September, the coalition started conducting attacks against the IS in Syria as well.
