The Kremlin’s Press Secretary Declines to Comment on Sergei Surovikin’s Situation
The press secretary for the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Peskov, did not offer a statement on the status of Army General Sergei Surovikin. TASS reported this absence of comment. When asked whether he had any information about the unfolding events, the Kremlin spokesman replied that nothing was known at that time. No additional details were provided by the Kremlin regarding the matter.
On September 4, Russian journalist Ksenia Sobchak published a photo on her Telegram channel showing Army General Sergei Surovikin, formerly the commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, with his wife Anna. RBC noted that Surovikin had not appeared in public since June 24, a date tied to Wagner’s call for PMC fighters to halt the rebellion. The silence surrounding Surovikin’s public presence has persisted through that period, creating questions about his current status and role within the military structure.
Earlier, it was reported that the former Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces, Army General Sergei Surovikin, was dismissed at the end of August. General Viktor Afzalov, who serves as Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Aerospace Forces, was appointed to take over the task previously held by Surovikin. This personnel change marks a significant shift within the leadership of the aerospace forces and has drawn attention to the ongoing reorganization and strategic direction of the service.
There was also mention of General Valery Marchenkov’s comments predicting a counteroffensive by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. While official confirmation of Marchenkov’s statements remains limited, such projections contribute to the broader narrative surrounding the conflict and the military balance in the region.
Additionally, restrictions were reported concerning travel to the NVO area for former MPs, with permission required from Shoigu. The political and military leadership’s actions in this regard appear to reflect tightened controls and oversight during a period of heightened tensions and strategic recalibrations.