Did he help with planning?
“General Armageddon” probably knew about Prigozhin’s plans
06/28/2023, 09:52 am
During his march on Moscow, mercenary chief Prigozhin was apparently also hoping for help from the Russian army leadership. According to one report, a high-ranking general was said to have been in on it – and he may not have been the only one.
According to a US newspaper report, the deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian invasion troops in Ukraine, Sergey Surovikin, is said to have known in advance about the uprising of the Wagner mercenary group. The “New York Times” further reported, citing US government circles, that the government in Washington is now trying to find out whether Surovikin supported Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in planning the rebellion.
According to US intelligence information, there are also indications that other Russian generals may have supported Prigozhin. US officials also suggested that the mercenary boss would not have started his rebellion without believing he had other powerful supporters.
Surovikin is also called “General Armageddon”.
Air Force General Surovikin was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian troops in the Ukraine war in October before he was replaced by Chief of Staff Valeri Gerasimov in January after criticism of military setbacks and demoted to his deputy. Experts have also speculated that Surovikin may have gained too much influence as a commander in Ukraine.
For months, Prigozhin had engaged in a public power struggle with Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. He had sharply criticized them for military failures and accused them of incompetence. On the other hand, he had praised Surovikin, who was dubbed “General Armageddon” by the Russian media because of the ruthlessness he was accused of in earlier wars in Syria and Chechnya.
Shortly after the beginning of their uprising on Friday, Surovikin had publicly called on the Wagner mercenaries to give up their rebellion and the march on Moscow that was finally broken off on Saturday. Prigozhin and his mercenaries were granted impunity by President Vladimir Putin after an agreement was reached to end the uprising. He is now in exile in Belarus.