Russian leader Putin is more popular than vodka

But it had the opposite effect in Moscow, where a whopping 89.9% of Russians rate him, according to pollsters VTSIOM.

Putin, whose approval ratings dipped as low as 60% in 2012, has proved himself the comeback king.

The former KGB man is often filmed hunting, shooting, doing judo and riding horses and his image had a further boost in May when he miraculously scored eight goals in an ice hockey match.

Experts say the 62-year-old president’s popularity has been boosted by his decision to send Russian pilots and missiles into action against the Islamic State.

Cameron and Obama have claimed Putin, a long-time ally of Syria’s evil President Assad, has been attacking anti-Assad rebels as well as ISIS.

But Russians, who have been watching the exploits of their "heroic” pilots almost daily on TV, have given Putin the thumbs up.

The poll also showed that 47% of Russians agree with Putin’s support for Assad while only 28% want Russia to stay out of Syria and a tiny 8% think Moscow should join a British and American coalition against ISIS.

Many Russian shops are selling "We support Assad” t-shirts and social media is full of jingoistic support for the Russian air force.

One pollster said: "Such a high approval of the Russian president is linked to events in Syria and Russian airstrikes at terrorist positions.”

Putin’s ratings have been going up since last year when he absorbed Crimea, despite it being legally part of neighbouring Ukraine.

Last week the Russian Defence Ministry released footage of an air attack on an ISIS underground bunker in Hama province.

The Kremlin said the jihadis used them to skulk underground to get away from air strikes.

Russia also said they contained an armoury of ammunition and self-made explosives, which were "supposed to be used for terrorist attacks and sabotages".

(dailystar.co.uk)