Top Russian General Released Following Leadership Mutiny by Mercenary Tycoon Yevgeny Prigozhin
A top Russian general who was detained in the aftermath of a mutiny led by mercenary tycoon Yevgeny V. Prigozhin has been released, according to two U.S. officials and a person close to the Russian Defense Ministry. General Sergei Surovikin, known for his brutal tactics in Syria and seen as an ally of Prigozhin, vanished from public view in June after the mercenary leader and members of his Wagner outfit targeted Russian military leadership.
American officials claim that General Surovikin had prior knowledge of the uprising. Hours after the mutiny began, the Russian authorities released a video showing an uncomfortable General Surovikin urging Wagner fighters to stand down. While the general seemed to have been released from formal detention, it remains uncertain if there are any restrictions on his movement or other limitations imposed by the Russian authorities, according to U.S. officials.
The release of General Surovikin reportedly occurred in the days after Prigozhin died in a plane crash late last month, as disclosed by a person close to the Russian Defense Ministry. Although the general has retained his rank, he no longer possesses any career prospects. Russian state news previously reported that General Surovikin had been formally removed as the head of Russia’s aerospace forces.
On Monday, General Surovikin reemerged in a photograph posted on social media. The photo, posted by a Russian news figure, Ksenia Sobchak, shows the general in civilian clothes, accompanied by his wife. The location of the photo is unclear. A post on Sobchak’s Telegram channel read, “General Sergei Surovikin is out: alive, healthy, at home with his family in Moscow.”
Aleksei A. Venediktov, the former leader of the liberal Echo of Moscow radio station, confirmed that General Surovikin is currently at home with his family. He stated that the general is on leave and at the disposal of the Ministry of Defense. From October to January, General Surovikin oversaw operations in Ukraine, including the withdrawal of Russian forces from Kherson and the implementation of a defensive strategy, known as the “Surovikin line,” which has hindered Ukrainian forces.
Prigozhin had a relationship with General Surovikin due to Wagner fighters serving alongside Russian forces in Syria during his command. The mercenary leader praised the appointment of General Surovikin, calling him a legendary figure and the most capable commander in the Russian military. However, in January, the Kremlin sidelined General Surovikin, replacing him with General Valery V. Gerasimov as the commander overseeing forces in Ukraine. This change marked the beginning of a power loss for Prigozhin, who clashed with General Gerasimov and Russian Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu.
The tensions between them eventually led to Prigozhin initiating the mutiny, aimed at removing the two defense leaders but not at toppling President Vladimir V. Putin, according to his claims. In July, as speculation circulated regarding General Surovikin’s whereabouts, a top lawmaker from the Russian Parliament’s defense committee stated that the general was “taking a rest.”
Prigozhin was killed on August 23 when the private plane he was traveling on with other Wagner leaders crashed in the Tver region of Russia. U.S. officials suspect that an explosion on board caused the crash. The Kremlin has vehemently denied any Western suggestions of President Putin’s involvement in the event, labeling such claims as “absolute lies.”