Valeri Gerasimov, the Russian commander of troops fighting in Ukraine, has reappeared for the first time since the mercenary army Wagner’s uprising. The footage, released by the Russian Defense Ministry, shows Gerasimov listening to subordinates report on the repulse of Ukrainian attacks on Russian targets. He also issues orders.
Together with Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu, Gerasimov is responsible for military operations during the war in Ukraine. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin regularly came into conflict with both and demanded their departure. After Wagner’s rebellion, the fate of Shoigu and Gerasimov remained unclear for some time. A few days later, Russia distributed images of Shoygu, but Gerasimov has not been heard from since.
Russia claims that the images are from last Sunday, but that cannot be independently verified. However, the fact that images of Gerasimov have been distributed at all, in which he is also referred to by his job title, indicates that he is still the top commander of the troops in Ukraine.
Absent from the footage is General Sergey Soerovikin. Soerovikin was Gerasimov’s predecessor as commander in Ukraine and is the current boss of the Russian air force. Supposedly, Surovikin was aware of Wagner’s plans for rebellion. He was allegedly arrested and interrogated, but the Kremlin has never confirmed that.
Joram Bolle
Read also: Who are Shoygu and Gerasimov, the army leaders whom Prigozhin wants to have extradited?
2023-07-10 06:45:00
#Live #Russia #distributes #images #commander #Gerasimov #Wagner #uprising
