According to the American newspaper New York Times, the deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian invasion forces in Ukraine, Sergey Surovikin, is said to have been aware of the impending uprising of the mercenary group Wagner. The newspaper, citing US officials, further reported that Washington is now trying to determine whether Surovikin helped Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin plan the uprising. In addition, other generals could have supported Prigozhin.
Air Force General Surovikin was appointed commander-in-chief of Russia’s forces in the war in Ukraine in October, before being replaced by Chief of Staff Valeri Gerasimov in January after criticizing military setbacks and demoted to his deputy. Experts have also speculated that Surovikin may have gained too much clout as a commander in Ukraine.
Months of power struggle
For months, Prigozhin was engaged in a public power struggle with Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. He had sharply criticized them for military failures and accused them of incompetence.
On the other hand, he had praised Surovikin, who was dubbed “General Armageddon” by the Russian media for his alleged ruthlessness in previous wars in Syria and Chechnya.
Prigozhin in exile
Shortly after the start of their revolt on Friday, Surovikin had publicly called on the Wagner mercenaries to abandon their revolt and the march on Moscow, which was finally broken off on Saturday. Prigozhin and his mercenaries were granted impunity by President Vladimir Putin after an agreement was reached to end the uprising. He is now in exile in Belarus.
Source: Krone
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