Surovikin's deputy's public appearance may indicate his removal after Wagner mutiny – British intelligence

The Ministry of Defense of Great Britain informs about this.

It is noted that on July 10, Russian Chief of the General Staff General Valery Gerasimov spoke on television for the first time after the unsuccessful mutiny of Wagner PMC on June 24. British intelligence noticed that Russian Aerospace Forces Chief of Staff, Colonel-General Viktor Afzalov, was informing Gerasimov via video link.

Although Afzalov, Surovikin’s deputy, has been in office for at least four years, this was his first public appearance with Gerasimov.

"Afzalov’s increased public profile, while Surovikin’s whereabouts remains unclear, adds further weight to the hypothesis that Surovikin has been sidelined following the mutiny," the British Ministry of Defense stated.

What is known about Surovikin

General Sergey Surovikin led the Russian forces in Ukraine starting from October 2022. In January, he was removed from this position. Surovikin is sometimes called "General Armageddon" because of his orders to bomb Syria, which were considered criminal.

According to The New York Times, citing US officials familiar with intelligence, Surovikin had prior knowledge of Prigozhin's plans to rebel against Russia's military leadership. US authorities are now investigating whether Surovikin was involved in planning the mutiny.

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's press secretary, commented on the publication and dismissed it as speculation.

After the failed rebellion by Prigozhin, there were reports in the media that Surovikin had been arrested. Some sources claimed that he supported Prigozhin, although Surovikin himself recorded a video urging the Wagner group to cease their actions.

According to the Financial Times on June 29, General Sergey Surovikin, who served as the commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces and deputy commander of the Russian forces in Ukraine, could potentially be arrested following the failed mutiny by Prigozhin.

However, Surovikin's daughter, Veronika, denied the arrest of her father in a comment to one of the Russian propaganda media outlets.

According to British intelligence on July 5, information about Surovikin's arrest has not yet been confirmed.

Ukrainian Intelligence stated that Surovikin was interrogated in the Russian Federation to find out about his involvement in the Wagner PMC mutiny.