Current:Home > FinanceRussia’s ‘General Armageddon’ reportedly dismissed after vanishing in wake of Wagner uprising -Aspire Money Growth
Russia’s ‘General Armageddon’ reportedly dismissed after vanishing in wake of Wagner uprising
View
Date:2025-04-16 04:26:08
Gen. Sergei Surovikin, a former commander of Russia’s forces in Ukraine who was linked to the leader of an armed rebellion, has been dismissed from his job as chief of the air force, according to Russian state media. The report Wednesday came after weeks of uncertainty about his fate following the short-lived uprising.
Surovikin has not been seen in public since armed rebels marched toward Moscow in June, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Wagner mercenary group. In a video released during the uprising, Surovikin urged Prigozhin’s men to pull back.
During his long absence, Russian media have speculated about Surovikin’s whereabouts, with some claiming he had been detained due to his purported close ties to Prigozhin.
Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, citing an anonymous source, reported that Surovikin has been replaced as commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces by Col. Gen. Viktor Afzalov, who is currently head of the main staff of the air force.
The agency frequently represents the official position of the Kremlin through reports citing anonymous officials in Russia’s defense and security establishment.
The Russian government has not commented on the report, and The Associated Press was not able to confirm it independently.
Russian daily newspaper RBC wrote that Surovikin is being transferred to a new job and is now on vacation.
Alexei Venediktov, the former head of the now-closed radio station Ekho Moskvy, and Ksenia Sobchak, the daughter of a Putin-linked politician, both wrote on social media Tuesday that Surovikin had been removed.
In late June, Surovikin’s daughter told the Russian social media channel Baza that her father had not been arrested.
The Wagner uprising posed the most serious challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s 23-year rule and reports circulated that Surovikin had known about it in advance.
According to Sobchak, Surovikin was removed from his post Aug. 18, “by a closed decree. The family still has no contact with him.”
Surovikin was dubbed “General Armageddon” for his brutal military campaign in Syria and led Russia’s operations in Ukraine between October 2022 and January 2023. Under his command, Russian forces unleashed regular missile barrages on Ukrainian cities, significantly damaging civilian infrastructure and disrupting heating, electricity and water supplies.
Both Surovikin and Prigozhin were both active in Syria, where Russian forces have fought to shore up Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government since 2015.
Surovikin was replaced as commander in Russia’s war in Ukraine by Chief of General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov, following Russia’s withdrawal from the southern city of Kherson amid a swift counteroffensive by Kyiv’s troops, but the air force general continued to serve under Gerasimov as a deputy commander.
Prigozhin had spoken positively of Surovikin while criticizing Russia’s military brass, and suggested he should be appointed General Staff chief to replace Gerasimov.
veryGood! (633)
Related
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Prosecutors: Armed man barricaded in basement charged officers with weapon, was shot and killed
- 'Miss our families': Astronauts left behind by Starliner share updates from the ISS
- Top legal adviser to New York City mayor quits as investigations swell
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Florida State is paying Memphis $1.3 million for Saturday's loss
- John Oliver Curses Out Emmy Awards on Live TV While Paying Tribute to Dead Dog
- 2024 Emmys: The Traitors Host Alan Cumming Teases Brutal Bloodbath for Season 3
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Did Selena Gomez Debut Engagement Ring at the 2024 Emmys? Here's the Truth
Ranking
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Laverne Cox, 'Baby Reindeer' star Nava Mau tear up over making trans history at Emmys
- MLB playoffs: Does 'hot team' reign supreme or will favorites get their mojo back?
- 911 calls from Georgia school shooting released
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- What We Do in the Shadows Gifts for All…but Not You, Guillermo
- 2024 Emmys: Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Hair Transformation Will Make You Do a Double Take
- Emmys best-dressed: Stars winning the red carpet so far, including Selena Gomez, Anna Sawai
Recommendation
Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
A Minnesota man gets 33 years for fatally stabbing his wife during Bible study
Shedeur Sanders refuses to shake Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi's hand after win vs Colorado State
2024 Emmys: Zuri Hall Details Custom Red Carpet Gown She Designed
Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
Five reasons Dolphins' future looks grim if Tua Tagovailoa leaves picture after concussion
Russell Wilson injury updates: Latest on Steelers QB's status vs. Broncos
Arizona man accused of online terror threats has been arrested in Montana