Russian General Sergei Surovikin has been arrested, with The Moscow Times reporting that it received confirmation of his apprehension from two sources who are close with the nation’s Ministry of Defense. The outlet notes that the department has yet to officially provide its own comment on the matter.
American officials have been attempting to find out whether or not Surovikin aided Yevgeny Prigozhin in his plot to defect against Russia’s military using the Wagner Group, according to the New York Times.
The Wagner Group carries numerous pieces of powerful equipment, including tanks, different rocket launcher systems, and aircraft.
US intelligence has reportedly asserted that Surovikin knew about the planned rebellion.
The Kremlin has not taken kindly to Prigozhin's recent actions; members of the Russian government have reacted by deeming him at large and calling for his arrest.
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) issued a charge against Prigozhin for calling for an armed rebellion, which could have easily landed him up to 20 years in prison, according to NPR.
Now, more recent reports say that Prigozhin relocated to Belarus, and that Russia no longer plans to press charges over the brief mutiny.
“It was established that its participants stopped their actions directly aimed at committing a crime on June 24,” the FSB said Tuesday, per the New York Times. “Taking into account these and other circumstances of value to the investigation, the investigative agency resolved on June 27 to terminate the criminal case.”
A source reportedly informed The Moscow Times that it is not immediately apparent if Surovikin knew about Prigozhin's desired mutiny.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
