Sergei Surovikin, nicknamed General Apocalypse, claimed to have anticipated the plans that allegedly compelled a pause by the Wagner group leader, Evgeny Prigozhin, and his mercenaries. The New York Times reported, citing unnamed US intelligence sources, that Surovikin knew what was coming before the events of that weekend. The report suggested that if Prigozhin had doubted this information, he might not have moved to rally others in positions of power to back him. Ramzan Kadyrov, Chechnya’s leader, also appears to share many of the same views with Prigozhin, yet he did not come to the rescue of what some called Putin’s ally or “Putin’s cook,” and reportedly urged his own forces to resist the Wagner group.
A short time after Wagner declared a “dignity march” toward Moscow, Surovikin surfaced in an official video urging the mercenaries to abandon their bid, emphasizing camaraderie and common objectives in Ukraine. This commander led the offensive on the Ukrainian front from late 2022 into early 2023, though US sources suggest other Russian officers might have been considered as potential supporters of Prigozhin before distancing themselves as the situation unfolded.
It appears the stakes were indeed high. Surovikin called on the Wagner fighters to stop, noting shared trials and the belief that the enemy would exploit any internal political crisis. He underscored that it is not too late to follow a commander’s order, a sentiment echoed in reactions across the military and political sphere.
—Giorgi Revishvili reported from Moscow, reflecting a broader sense within the Russian security establishment that hardline factions inside the regime were criticizing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his successor on the Ukrainian front, Valeri Gerasimov. The critique centered on perceived missteps and calls for greater state and army involvement to rectify the course of events. Surovikin, a veteran officer, has a long career, including actions dating back to the early 1990s when he participated in internal security decisions that led to civilian casualties and a controversial arrest later on; he has faced scrutiny for past incidents involving military materials and operations.
missed hit
Wagner ultimately did not seize Moscow, and as pressure mounted, some group members faced a choice between relocating to Belarus or joining the regular Russian armed forces. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko welcomed Wagner personnel, announcing an opportunity to remain in the territory under his supervision. This development marked a turning point for the group as it navigated a settlement outside the immediate confrontation in Russia.
Russian security services disclosed the dropping of charges against Prigozhin on Tuesday, in what was described as the end of the attempted rebellion. The so-called “Putin’s cook” left Rostov-on-Don on Sunday as crowds greeted him, signaling a controversial and delicate moment for the regime and its image within the southern regions of Russia.