Reports on the Arrest of Russian General Surovikin in Prigozhin's Armed Rebellion: What We Know

Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels are circulating unverified information about the arrest of Russian General Sergey Surovikin in connection with the armed rebellion led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the "Wagner" group. According to the "Romanov Лайт" Telegram channel, Surovikin was "taken" to the Lefortovo investigative isolation facility on Sunday, June 25.

"Surovikin has not been seen since Saturday (June 24), and it is unclear where 'General Armageddon' is located; there is speculation that he is being interrogated," reported the "Рыбарь" Telegram channel earlier today.

This information has not yet been confirmed.

The New York Times, citing Western intelligence reports, states that Prigozhin had previously informed Surovikin about his plans, which reportedly involved taking Defense Minister Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Gerasimov hostage.

“There will be many different speculations, rumors, and so on surrounding these events. I believe this is one such case,” said Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the President of Russia, regarding the NYT publication.

Following the start of Prigozhin's armed rebellion, Surovikin released a video message to the "Wagner" group requesting to cease hostilities, which was, among other things, published on the Ministry of Defense's Telegram channel.