Gen. Sergei Surovikin, Russia’s deputy commander in Ukraine, was sympathetic to Yevgeny Prigozhin’s recent rebellion, according to U.S. officials.
Prigozhin surprised the world on Saturday by leading an armed revolt that advanced his Wagner Group fighters close to Moscow, within 200 kilometers (125 miles) of the city, before abruptly calling off the uprising.
Surovikin Appeal to Wagner Fighters
According to three anonymous officials, Surovikin, while expressing support for Prigozhin, was not confirmed to have actively assisted the rebellion, as Western intelligence lacked certainty on his involvement.
Amid the uprising, Surovikin made a public appeal to Wagner’s private militia fighters, urging them to abandon their resistance and instead return to their bases under the guidance of military leadership.
When asked about the report, the Kremlin commented on Wednesday that there would be speculation following the events.
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Subsequent Reassignment after Limited Success
Surovikin, known as General Armageddon in Russian media due to his reputation for ruthlessness, is a seasoned veteran of conflicts in Chechnya and Syria and has received decorations from President Vladimir Putin.
In October, Surovikin was entrusted with the command of the military campaign in Ukraine but was later reassigned to a deputy position after Russia’s limited success in the invasion.
Prigozhin, once an ally of Putin, has recently engaged in a bitter feud with Moscow, publicly expressing dissatisfaction with the Russian Ministry of Defense for not adequately supplying his troops with weapons.
U.S. and Western officials have stated that Prigozhin had been amassing weapons in preparation for the mutiny attempt. They suggested that he must have believed he had enough firepower and support within the Russian military to carry out the uprising.
However, an anonymous Western diplomat noted that Prigozhin ultimately misjudged the situation, mistakenly believing that his loyalty to Putin, his usefulness to the Kremlin, and his support among Russian military officials would shield him from consequences.
Initially, Putin vowed to crush the mutiny, likening it to the turbulent events that led to the 1917 revolutions and subsequent civil war. However, a deal was reached shortly thereafter, allowing Prigozhin and some of his fighters to seek refuge in Belarus.
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