INEWS
Russian General Sergei Surovikin has reportedly been detained for allegedly knowing about the attempted Wagner coup in advance.
The military leader, known as “General Armageddon”, has not been seen in public since Saturday 24 June, when Wagner chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, launched a rebellion against Moscow.
It comes amid signs that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s purge has begun, with reports of investigations into military personnel who either failed to prevent the uprising or collaborated with it.
The Russian defence ministry has not yet officially commented on the allegations.
What happened to Sergei Surovikin?
There have been differing reports over whether Mr Surovikin knew about the Wagner rebellion and where he is now.
On Wednesday, The New York Times cited US intelligence sources saying Mr Surovikin had prior knowledge of the assault headed towards Moscow.
The newspaper report said questions have been raised over whether the general helped the Wagner mercenary group to plot the threat to Mr Putin’s leadership.
American officials were also cited saying there are signs that other Russian military leaders may have supported the attempted coup.
Sources quoted in the Moscow Times said that Mr Surovikin “chose the side” of the Wagner leader during the rebellion and that his disappearance is related.
But the newspaper also suggested it is unclear whether the general was aware of Mr Prigozhin’s rebellion.
Links between Mr Surovikin and Mr Prigozhin have been well-publicised, with the Wagner chief welcoming him into his post as Russia’s chief military leader in Ukraine in 2022, calling him a “legendary figure”.
But when Wagner launched the uprising, Mr Surovikin made a statement condemning it and supporting the Russian government.
On Friday, he said: “We fought together with you, took risks, we won together.
“We are of the same blood, we are warriors. I urge you to stop. The enemy is just waiting for the internal political situation to escalate in our country.”
Reports have circulated that Mr Surovikin has since been detained amid rumours that he may have been purged or put under investigation.
The Financial Times cited a Western government official as saying: “Putin knew about [Prigozhin’s uprising plans] in advance, as we understand, and so could prepare to a certain extent. He was able to see who did what on that day. And he’s now cleaning house.”
The source is reported to have told the newspaper they believed Mr Surovikin had been detained, adding, “we understand that there will be more people who will follow”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred questions about Mr Surovikin to the defence ministry but was unable to clarify the situation.
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