The role of “General Armageddon” might not be over yet!

The fate and whereabouts of General Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of the joint group of Russian forces in Ukraine, have remained mysterious until now, as the latter disappeared from the media scene after the failed rebellion of Wagner group last June.

Surovikin, who was appointed by the Russian Ministry of Defense as the commander of the Southern Group of Russian Forces, before he was re-appointed after several months as the deputy commander of the Joint Group of Russian Forces in Ukraine, and he is nicknamed “General Armageddon” at the time to satisfy the supporters of the strict and strict measures of the Russian forces.

As it enters a new phase of escalation in light of the increase in Ukrainian counter-attacks into Russian regions.

While Western media, described the veteran Russian general as having for years represented Wagner interests inside the Russian Defense Ministry, citing the criticism of its chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Prigozhin who died in plane crash, was harshly criticizes the Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the commander of the joint forces, Valery Gerasimov and, as the rebellion that he led last June aimed to overthrow the two men, on the other hand he praised Surovikin and his work and loyalty for the homeland.

Despite this, the hidden general condemned the rebellion attempt by Wagner on June 24, and called on the leaders and fighters of the group to submit to the will of the president and resolve the issue peacefully, before the operation ended with the redeployment of the group’s forces on Belarusian soil.

Immediately after that, the general suddenly disappeared from the media scene, causing confusion among Russian and foreign observers alike, although the Russian Ministry of Defense denied news of his arrest.

The New York Times said that Surovikin knew about the impending rebellion, that he supported its organizers and was part of a plan to change the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, but in return, no official confirmations of this information were issued.

Among Russian politicians, the head of the State Duma Defense Committee, Colonel Andrei Kartapolov, was the first to comment on Surovikin’s disappearance by saying that he was only resting and not available at the moment.

In this context, the good relations that linked Wagner with Surovikin may be the reason for removing the latter from the public scene.

The speculations about Sorovikin’s fate coincide with the scenarios that Western media outlets began to talk about, such as the Financial Times, which reported, quoting what it described as “sources inside Moscow,” that the general is under arrest and is being interrogated, pending disclosure of the charges that will be brought against him.

According to the Financial Times, a purge has begun to restore order and prestige and that Surovikin is included in it, but the head of the Academy of Strategic Issues, Leonid Ivashov, denies this hypothesis by saying that Sorovikin is a man of strategic importance, his skill and experience are needed at the front, and he may now be in place.

There are no areas of military operation in Ukraine or even within the headquarters of the General Staff.

Ivashov considers that Surovikin’s duty is to develop combat plans, operational and tactical models, and to manage the forces entrusted to him, and not to communicate with the press, as these are the tasks of other people.

It’s not excluded that he is currently preparing the forces that will enter the battle and penetrate the Ukrainian defenses during the expected offensive of the Russian forces in Ukraine within a few months.

Ivashov revealed that the Russian army is currently gathering human potential, equipment and resources in order to carry out a strategic attack, and the need for the efficiency of the general who led the creation of the Surovikin defense line may be urgent now more than ever.

In view of his past in Syria, where he repeatedly visited, Surovikin might be transferred to benefit from his experiences, in light of the process of activating the US forces there.