A Russian general who previously led the invasion force in Ukraine has not been seen in public since last Saturday. General Surovikin, head of the Russian aerospace forces and former supreme commander in Ukraine may have had prior knowledge of the mutiny led by Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.
The speculation is that Putin may have purged General Sergei Surovikin.
His connections to Prigozin are well-known. Prigozhin publicly welcomed Surovikin’s appointment in October 2022. And was critical of his demotion in January 2023.
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Wagner’s force, estimated to be around 15,000 in Ukraine, was a subset of the group that attempted to march on Moscow this weekend. It is estimated that around 8,000 troops and vehicles were involved.
On Friday, Surovikin denounced the uprising and expressed support for the Russian government on social media.
The New York Times, citing Western intelligence sources, reported that Surovikin may have had prior knowledge of the plot. It remains uncertain if he actively participated.
