Russian General Detained Following Coup Attempt: Reports

Russian Gen. Sergei Surovikin is believed to have been detained following an attempted revolt, according to reports from the Associated Press. The report claims that it is not clear if Surovikin is facing any charges due to the revolt, or how long he will be detained.

So What Happened? A Russian paramilitary operation, the Wagner Group, took over the military headquarters in the city of Rostov-On-Don, Russia, in order to subvert the Russian state and military. The mercenaries then attempted to march to Moscow, before ditching their efforts amid Russian-state defensive efforts, including mounting machine guns outside of Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered amnesty to the Wagner rebels, as long as they laid down their guns. The soldiers are allegedly allowed to flee freely to Belarus, with some criticizing Putin’s benevolence, calling it weak. But, the detention of Surovikin shows that there may be consequences coming for the leaders of the Wagner rebellion.

What's Next? The uncertainty of Surovikin’s detention exemplifies the disorganization in the Russian military, which is now not only fighting Ukraine soldiers but also has to be worried about rebels rising from within the country. The origins of the Wagner rebellion go back to ongoing disagreements between the Russian Ministry of Defense, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and Putin.

Photo: Shutterstock

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