Vladimir Putin has launched an operation to purge the top of the security services after the coup attempt, Western media claim. According to Kremlin sources, the president has set out to destroy his critics, to restore order and dominance over the Russians.
The first detained as part of the purge was Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces Sergey Surovikin. There has been speculation about him in recent days as to whether he has been arrested. However, Russian media already claim that he is in the notorious Moscow prison “Lefortovo”. It comes after a US investigation suggested he secretly supported last weekend’s rebellion by Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin.
It remains unclear whether Gen. Surovikin was simply interrogated or accused of plotting to overthrow Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. He knew about the coup in advance, US reports said. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
SERGEY SUROVIKIN PHOTO: Reuters
The 56-year-old general maintains close relations with Prigozhin. As Wagner’s rebellion with the military in Moscow escalated, Surovikin is believed to have acted as a go-between. But when the mercenary chief went on a mutiny to oust Shoigu, the general recorded a short video urging the fighters to lay down their arms. Then he disappeared. Even his family has not been in contact with him for the past few days.
Many of the hardliners known to sympathize with “Wagner” and criticize the regular armed forces have disappeared from public view in recent days.
Also known as gen. Armageddon for his brutal bombing tactics in Syria, Surovikin was promoted last fall to manage Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He was quickly demoted, but remained a favorite among Russia’s more hard-line pro-military community. This spring, he even took it upon himself to monitor the movements of Prigozhin’s mercenaries, who until recently were fighting on the front lines in eastern Ukraine.
Against this background, it became clear that Moscow intended to take control of Prigozhin’s military empire. “Wagner” actively operates in many countries around the world – in Libya, Sudan, Syria, Mali, the Central African Republic, Mozambique, Burkina Faso. Russian representatives are convincing the governments of the southern continent that “Wagner” will continue to carry out its activities without interruption, but under the control of the new management. The fighters will withdraw from Ukraine, since Prigozhin did not agree to them signing contracts with the Ministry of Defense. Without the signatures, Russia will stop funding the group.
2023-06-29 19:30:00
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