Valery Gerasimov
Following a failed mercenary mutiny aimed at overthrowing the top brass, Russia’s most senior generals have vanished from public view, despite President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to reclaim his power and unsubstantiated rumors of at least one arrest.
Russia’s top general, Valery Gerasimov, has not been in public or on state television since the failed insurrection on Saturday when mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin demanded Gerasimov’s surrender.
He has also not been referenced in a press release issued by the defence ministry since June 9, 2023.
According to some Western military analysts, Gerasimov, 67, is Russia’s war commander in Ukraine and the owner of one of Russia’s three nuclear briefcases.
General Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of Russian forces in Ukraine and called ‘General Armageddon’ by the Russian press for his hardline tactics in the Syrian conflict, is also missing.
According to reports, he had advanced information about the rebellion and Russian authorities were investigating whether he was complicit.
The Kremlin downplayed the news on Wednesday, saying there would be a lot of speculation and gossip.
Gerasimov was conspicuously absent as Putin hailed the army for averting civil war on Tuesday, in contrast to Shoigu, who has made several public appearances subsequently.
Surovikin was last seen on Saturday in a video pleading with Prigozhin to end his rebellion. He appeared tired, and it was unclear whether he was speaking under duress.
According to unconfirmed Russian media and blogger reports on Wednesday evening, Surovikin was being held at Moscow’s Lefortovo prison centre after being arrested.
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