The new image of the Russian general, dismissed by Putin, generated controversy

A controversial new image has emerged of General Sergey Surovikin, a leading figure in the Russian army, who went missing after the uprising by the mercenary group Wagner, which rocked Russia and was ousted last month.

Last month, Russian media wrote that the commander of the Surovikin Aerospace Forces, one of the most important figures in the war in Ukraine and known as President Vladimir Putin’s most trusted name in the war, was fired. Surovikin, who previously played a major role in the Syrian war and was known as “General Doomsday” because of his harsh methods, disappeared after the Wagner uprising on June 24 and his fate caused controversy.

Surovikin and Putin

During Wagner’s rebellion, Surovikin posted a video calling on Wagner to lay down his arms. In some Russian media reports after the riots, it was claimed that an investigation was launched against Surovikin and that he was kept under house arrest.

US intelligence also reported that General Surovikin thought Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigojin, who died last month, knew in advance of the plans for the rebellion.

‘LIVING AND HEALTHY’

In the photo that just appeared in the Russian media, Sergey Surovikin looks into the camera wearing a baseball cap, large glasses and a T-shirt. A redheaded woman, believed to be his wife, Anna, walks next to him.

Anna Surovikina was placed on the US sanctions list for allegedly helping her husband get money from oligarchs.

Ksenia Sobchak, one of the journalists close to the Russian state, shared the photo and denied rumors that the famous general ended up as the leader of Wagner Prigojin. Sobchak said: “General Surovikin is safe and sound. He is in Moscow with his family. The photo was taken today,” she said.