Putin Arrests Key General After Failed Wagner Mutiny: Report

The deputy commander of Russia's military operations in Ukraine, General Sergei Surovikin, has been detained by authorities amid a purge of military officials following a rebellion by the Wagner Group of mercenaries, it has been reported.

Citing Russian Defense Ministry sources, the Russian-language version of The Moscow Times said Surovikin had been arrested for siding with Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, whose troops seized a military HQ in Rostov-on-Don and advanced on Moscow.

Russian military blogger, Vladimir Romanov, said on Telegram that Surovikin had been arrested on June 25, the day after the rebellion.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that military "affiliates" of Surovikin had been accused of "complicity" in the mutiny and that a "large-scale purge" of the Russian military command is under way.

The rebellion was stood down on Saturday after a reported deal negotiated by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, in which neither Prigozhin, nor his fighters, would face charges and the Wagner head would be exiled to Belarus.

Surovikin became the commander of all Russian forces invading Ukraine in October 2022, but was replaced by Valery Gerasimov in January 2023.

Prigozhin had a long-standing feud with Gerasimov and many others among Russia's military leadership, however the Wagner chief has links with Surovikin, whom he called a "legendary figure" when he became commander in Ukraine.

"Prigozhin and Surovikin have been somewhat collegial. Prigozhin thinks Surovikin is one of the better generals and got plenty of support from him when he was in charge," Matt Dimmick, a former United States National Security Council director for Russia and Eastern Europe, told Newsweek on Wednesday.

Reuters reported U.S. intelligence as saying Surovikin was sympathetic to the Wagner rebellion, but it was unclear if he actively supported it.

While this might explain the lack of strong response by Russia's military, other experts have expressed doubt that the general would take part in full-blown mutiny.

Military analyst Rob Lee tweeted that Wagner shot down more than seven aircraft on their march to Moscow, reportedly killing 13 crew.

"Strange thing to do if the commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces was actively supporting you," he wrote, referring to Surovikin.

Dimmick noted that the suggestion Prigozhin and Surovikin were in alliance could work to the advantage of Ukraine and its allies.

"Something the U.S and others would be very interested in, [in] the misinformation and the disinformation front, is sowing distrust and mistrust amongst the senior generals within the military," he said.

Surovikin recorded a video during the mutiny calling on Prigozhin to stand down, although many social media users commented on his demeanor.

"He looked terrible in that video, raising the possibility that he was forced to film it," former British defense attache to Russia, John Foreman, told Newsweek.

Newsweek has contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment.

Update 06/29/23, 4:18 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with further information.