The former Russian commander, who has not been seen in public since the Wagner mutiny in June, is “resting,” according to a senior Moscow parliamentarian.
Andrei Kartapolov, chairman of the Defense Committee, said General Sergei Surovikin was “unreachable,” fueling speculation about his whereabouts.
According to unconfirmed reports, General Surovikin was being held for questioning over his alleged involvement in the uprising.
He is said to have close ties to Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Wagner’s mercenaries attempted a brief mutiny on June 2324 and threatened a march on Moscow.
The uprising ended after the intervention of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who appeared to have struck a deal with Prigozhin.
Wagner’s troops were told they could join Russian forces, return home, or serve in Belarus.
On Wednesday, Russia’s Defense Ministry said the group is completing the process of supplying military weapons and equipment, delivering more than 2,000 items, including tanks, missile launch systems, antiaircraft weapons and artillery.
He released a video of the hardware, as well as large quantities of small arms and ammunition.
There is no independent confirmation that the supplies came from Wagner.
“General Armageddon”
General Surovikin was last seen publicly on video during the mutiny urging Wagner’s forces to cease their action.
Days later, media reports said he had been arrested, but there was no official confirmation or comment on his whereabouts.
The general assumed command of Russian forces in Ukraine in October, but was deposed three months later.
He gained a reputation for brutality during Russian operations in Syria, where he became known as “General Armageddon.”
In Ukraine, he oversaw devastating attacks on energy infrastructure that left millions of civilians without electricity and water during the winter.
He was replaced in January by Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov and appointed his deputy.
SOURCE: BBC