Russian army chief of staff Valery Gerasimov made his first reappearance on Monday since the Wagner mercenary group’s short-lived mutiny in a televised clip shared by the ministry of defence.

Gerasimov was one of the two main targets of a short-lived rebellion that Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin launched against the conventional army last month.

In a video from the Russian ministry of defence, officials briefed Gerasimov on a Ukrainian attempt to strike Russia and the annexed Crimean peninsula on Sunday.

General Viktor Afzalov told Gerasimov that Russia’s air defence downed three Ukrainian S-200 missiles.

“There are no victims or damage,” Afzalov said.

The missiles were aimed at the Kerch bridge linking Russia to Crimea, and the Morozovsk airfield in the border region of Rostov.

Advertisement

Two other missiles were disabled electronically, Gerasimov was told.

Gerasimov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had for months been the targets of fierce criticism from Prigozhin, leading up to the attempted rebellion.

Since the failed mutiny, speculation has been rife that there could be a reshuffle among Russia’s military leadership.

Uncertainty remains over the fate of general Sergei Surovikin, who is perceived as being sympathetic to Wagner.

 

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here
You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter