Russian military bloggers are openly speculating about the impact Wagner’s mutiny will have on the chain of command in the Russian military, the US think tank writes Institute for the Study of War (ISW). One blogger claims the mutiny has led to “massive purges” among officers and is a “litmus test” of the ministry’s loyalty.
Security service FSB would have aimed at both the army command and unit commanders. ‘Indecisiveness’ during the mutiny and alleged support for Wagner would now be cited as reasons to remove soldiers who, in the eyes of the FSB, have underperformed.
The leadership of the war in Ukraine is currently said to be in the hands of Mikhail Teplinski, commander of the Russian airborne troops. General Valeri Gerasimov, who previously commanded Russian troops in Ukraine, will remain army chief of staff, but would no longer be directly involved in the war.
Reuters – General Sergei Soerovikin, pictured here with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been arrested for complicity in Wagner’s mutiny.
Another blogger claims that there is an “atmosphere of distrust” within the General Staff of the Russian army. Allies of Gerasimov would be accused of indecisiveness and failure, while allies of General Sergey Surovikin would be accused of complicity in mutiny. Soerovikin is known to have good relations with Wagner. The Moscow Times and several bloggers reported yesterday that he has been arrested.
The ISW cannot verify the bloggers’ messages, but notes that they previously had reliable information about changes within the military leadership. It is clear, according to the think tank, “that the armed insurrection continues to have significant consequences in the information sphere.” The analysts see Surovikin as a useful scapegoat for the Kremlin, whether he had anything to do with the mutiny or not.
Maarten Alberts
Also read the profile that foreign editor and former Russia correspondent Bert Lanting wrote last year about General Soerovikin, a man with a ruthless reputation.
2023-06-29 19:41:15
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