This is a 1D outlook on the events. Assad is and was a bruetal dictator for decades, even before the civil war. Assad has complete responsibility of causing this mess, his murder of peaceful political movement http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/19/world/middleeast/19syria.html, is what lead to the fucking mess we are in 5 years later. Russia support for him during the early phases of the civil unrest is what caused the civil war to be such a cluster fuck. Russia had the ability to push for a transitional government with Assad stepping down. They had the ability but failed to act on it.

Not to say the rebels are "good" guys anymore(they murder children and shit) as most moderate Syrians left as soon as the Assad started murdering political opposition, but this civil war is On Russia and Assad for their brutality of political opposition during the arab spring.

I think its silly to be on anyone side now because Syria is a failed state. All we can do is really watch and help the people that have left the country.