Prigozhin's failed mutiny exacerbated split among Russian security forces – UK intelligence

UK Defence Intelligence has noted that Russian generals Sergei Surovikin and Yunus-bek Yevkurov have not appeared in public since the armed rebellion by Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner Group, and considers this a sign of a split in the Russian national security system.

Source: UK Defence Intelligence review for 5 July, as reported by European Pravda.

Details: In particular, the ministry drew attention to the disappearance of two Russian generals from the public space – Sergei Surovikin and Yunus-bek Yevkurov.

The intelligence service noted that the Commander-in-Chief of Russian Aerospace Forces, Surovikin, has not appeared in public since the Wagner Group mutiny, and Yevkurov was not present at a meeting of the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defence's leadership on 3 July, which was televised.

The MoD recalled that Yevkurov was caught on video having a conversation with Prigozhin during the group's seizure of military facilities in Rostov-on-Don.

UK Defence Intelligence officials have not confirmed reports that Surovikin has been arrested but say he may be under suspicion because of his long association with Wagner, dating back to his service in Syria in 2017.

UK intelligence calls Surovikin one of the most respected senior officers within the Russian military and notes that any official sanction against him is likely to cause a split.

Quote: "The suspicion that has potentially fallen on senior serving officers highlights how Prigozhin's abortive insurrection has worsened existing fault lines within Russia's national security community," the report said.

Background:

At the end of June, the head of the Wagner Private Military Company, Yevgeny Prigozhin, started and then cancelled a mutiny following his criticism of the Russian military leadership.

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