Current:Home > MyRussia's "General Armageddon" reportedly dismissed after vanishing in wake of Wagner uprising-InfoLens
Russia's "General Armageddon" reportedly dismissed after vanishing in wake of Wagner uprising
View Date:2024-12-23 16:24:50
General 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 Colonel General 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 politician linked to President Vladimir Putin, 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 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.
- In:
- Ukraine
- Russia
- Vladimir Putin
veryGood! (612)
Related
- Patricia Heaton criticizes media, 'extremists' she says 'fear-mongered' in 2024 election
- After an Atlantic hurricane season pause, are the tropics starting to stir?
- Mets pitcher Sean Manaea finally set for free agent payday
- Harris calls Trump’s appearance at Arlington a ‘political stunt’ that ‘disrespected sacred ground’
- Old Navy's Early Black Friday Deals Start at $1.97 -- Get Holiday-Ready Sweaters, Skirts, Puffers & More
- Arlington cemetery controversy shines spotlight on Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s sudden embrace of Trump
- RFK Jr. sues North Carolina elections board as he seeks to remove his name from ballot
- How Swimmer Ali Truwit Got Ready for the 2024 Paralympics a Year After Losing Her Leg in a Shark Attack
- Nicole Scherzinger receives support from 'The View' hosts after election post controversy
- Murder on Music Row: Corrupt independent record chart might hold key to Nashville homicide
Ranking
- Louisville officials mourn victims of 'unthinkable' plant explosion amid investigation
- Disney-DirecTV dispute: ESPN and other channels go dark on pay TV system
- LSU vs USC: Final score, highlights as Trojans win Week 1 thriller over Tigers
- 2024 fantasy football sleepers: Best value picks for latest ADP plays
- Georgia remains part of College Football Playoff bracket projection despite loss
- First Labor Day parade: Union Square protest was a 'crossroads' for NYC workers
- Score 50% Off Ariana Grande’s R.E.M. Beauty Lip Liner and $8.50 Ulta Deals from Tarte, Kopari & More
- Teenager Kimi Antonelli to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025
Recommendation
-
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones responds to CeeDee Lamb's excuse about curtains at AT&T Stadium
-
John Stamos got kicked out of Scientology for goofing around
-
Watch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky
-
Paralympic track and field highlights: USA's Jaydin Blackwell sets world record in 100m
-
US inflation may have picked up in October after months of easing
-
California lawmakers seek more time to consider energy proposals backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom
-
Rapper Fatman Scoop dies at 53 after collapsing on stage
-
Arlington cemetery controversy shines spotlight on Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s sudden embrace of Trump