Russia needs critical support because they are simply not marxist or any other flavour of leftism and therefore every pro-russia stance will be followed with that they need to fundamentally change.

This is different from, say, vietnam or china where we would criticise their approach to communism, but more in a friendly way towards comrades so that they can do better.

I think of it that it is critical that we support Iran and Russia no matter their politics and laws as long as they stay anti-imperialist whereas our support for China is a given because they are comrades.

Critical support puts the emphasis on being critical. I have more problems with the Government of Russia than I have support for them but at the moment the majority of their focus seems to be on doing things I support. In many of the cases where I am critical of Russia I have no doubt that my criticism are correct.

China on the other hand I support. If I am being critical of their way of doing things I accept that there may be reasoning that I had not considered. I’ve only been actively practicing dialectical and historical materialism for a few years where they have a proven track record going back decades. Its more likely that I am wrong than the CPC.

I’ve always had the hunch that it’s just an internet thing. I’ve never not once heard anyone say that in person, ever. It’s just a slogan that netizens say to remind each other to not go crazy online, because you know how social media can get sometimes.