2023-08-22 20:02:48
Surovikin, also known as “General Armageddon” because of his brutal bombing raids in Syria, was appointed supreme commander of Russian troops in Ukraine in October 2022. After criticism of military setbacks in January, however, he was replaced by Chief of Staff Valeri Gerasimov and demoted to his deputy. Surovikin still headed the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Despite the demotion, Surovikin is said to have retained his influence over the management of war operations. At least until now, because according to the media, Surovikin has now been kicked out. Alexei Venediktov, ex-editor-in-chief of the dissolved liberal radio station Echo Moskvy, wrote on Telegram that he would be removed but remain under the authority of the Defense Ministry, citing an official decree.
The decree itself was not initially published on Tuesday, but several nationalist Russian military blogs also reported on Surovikin’s replacement.
Archyde.com/Sputnik Sergei Surovikin (left) was deposed by Vladimir Putin, according to media reports
Disappeared from the scene
Surovikin had been considered one of Prigozhin’s key allies in the Russian regular army, even amid the power struggle between Prigozhin and Defense Ministers Sergei Shoigu and Gerasimov. According to the “New York Times” (“NYT”), Surovikin also knew in advance about the planned uprising of the Wagner mercenaries in June.
After that he was not seen in public for a long time, his deputy took over appearances on television. In mid-July, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Surovikin was said to have been taken into custody and interrogated in Moscow.
Consequences were expected
Surovikin had publicly condemned the Wagner uprising, but political observers believed that it was subsequently sidelined. The USA assumed that Surovikin would have to fear consequences after the Wagner uprising. The mutiny was the most direct attack Putin has seen in his 23 years in power, CIA chief William Burns said in July. US President Joe Biden had even speculated that Surovikin could be poisoned. “If I were him, I would be careful about what I eat,” Biden said.
The influential military blogger Rybar judged that the current replacement as chief of the aerospace troops is by no means surprising. “In the current situation, it is bad that the commanders who are popular with the soldiers are resigning, being replaced or being sent on unlimited leave,” Rybar said on his Telegram channel, according to the German Press Agency.
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