Russia has a symbiotic relationship with Assad as he is supposedly keeping terrorism at bay in the Middle East as well as protecting Russia's military assets in the region, namely their naval base at Tartus. Russia also knows full well that if they overthrow Assad's regime there will be anarchy in Syria, similar to how the overthrow of Muamar al-Qaddafi led to anarchy. Also, removing Assad from power will not be easy as the urban elite keep him in power--namely his cousin, who some estimate, owns approximately 60% of Syria's economy. Syrian middle class business owners and merchants have also thrived under Assad so I doubt they want to change the status quo either. So while some have benefited under his rule, others, namely minorities such as the poor have suffered greatly, not just financially, but also by the cruel and inhumane ways they have been treated. Assad who promised to reform their government by being  a "defender of minorities" has yet to keep his promise.