The head of Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Sergei Shoigu, was questioned about the investigation involving Sergei Surovikin, a former commander in the area covered by Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine. The inquiry was reported by Interfax. Shoigu did not provide an answer to that specific question.
Shoigu had named Surovikin to lead the troops in the zone of special operations in October 2022, placing him at the forefront of the military command there. Earlier, journalist Ksenia Sobchak published a photo on her Telegram channel showing Army General Sergei Surovikin, previously the commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces, with his wife Anna. The post drew attention in the media and among observers in Russia and beyond.
According to RBC, Surovikin has not appeared in public since June 24, when Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner Group issued a call to PMC fighters to halt the rebellion. This absence from public life added to the speculation surrounding his status and role within the armed forces during a period of upheaval and reassessment of top-level leadership.
Additionally, there was a reshuffle at the highest levels of the Russian military. At the end of August, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces, Army General Sergei Surovikin, was reportedly dismissed from his post. General Viktor Afzalov, who previously served as Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Aerospace Forces, was appointed to take over the duties associated with that position. This transition occurred amid broader shifts within the Russian defense establishment and ongoing evaluations of command efficiency and strategic direction.
In July, Andrei Kartapolov, chair of the State Duma Defense Committee, stated that Surovikin was resting and not yet available for public engagement. The comments reflected a cautious approach by lawmakers and military officials as they navigated the ongoing changes and the uncertainty that can accompany leadership transitions in a high-stakes environment.
Observers note that the sequence of events—leadership appointments, public appearances, and the timing of personnel changes—appears intertwined with Russia’s broader strategic and political calculations. The question remains how these moves will influence operational readiness, alliance dynamics, and the overall public perception of military leadership during a period of intense external pressure and domestic scrutiny. The situation continues to evolve as new information emerges and official statements are issued. (Interfax, RBC, and other outlets reported on various facets of these developments.)