Russian general Surovikin, who was arrested after the Prigozhin uprising, was released

In Russia, General Sergei Surovikin, who was said to have been arrested after the rebellion of Yevgeny Prigozhin, was released. This is reported by the New York Times based on two American officials and a source close to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

According to the Washington interlocutors of the publication, despite the fact that Surovikin was released, it is not known whether there are any restrictions for him, in particular, when moving.

A source close to the Russian Ministry of Defense noted that the general retained his title and “technically” still remains an active officer in the armed forces, but he no longer has a “career perspective”. The interlocutor of the publication also said that Surovikin was released a few days after the air crash of Yevgeny Prigozhin on August 23.

The release of Surovikin was announced by journalist Ksenia Sobchak on September 4. He posted a picture of the general on his Telegram channel.

"General Sergei Surovikin came out. Alive, healthy, at home, with his family, in Moscow,” Sobchak wrote.

At a briefing in Sochi following the Russian — Turkish negotiations, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was asked if an investigation was being conducted into Surovikin. He did not answer this question. Journalist Farida Rustamova drew attention to the fact that half an hour later a picture of the general appeared on Sobchak's channel.

Sergey Surovikin served as commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces. In October 2022, he became the head of a joint group of Russian forces in Ukraine, after which the Russian army inflicted a series of major rocket strikes on Ukraine's energy and civil infrastructure. Surovikin led the grouping of Russian troops in Ukraine until January 2023.

Information about Surovikin's arrest appeared shortly after the rebellion of the founder of “Wagner”, Yevgeny Prigozhin. During the rebellion, Sergei Surovikin's appeal was circulated, in which he was called upon to stop the”wagnerchi “and”solve the problems peacefully". According to American intelligence services, Surovikin foresaw that the founder of “Wagner” was preparing a rebellion. Officially, the information about the arrest of the general was not confirmed, but since then he has not appeared in public places.