Former commander of Russian troops in Ukraine, General Sergey Surovikin, unexpectedly appeared at a new geographical point — Algeria, which generated significant interest from Russian and international media
The absence of public appearances by the former military operation leader in the hottest region of Europe following Evgeny Prigozhin’s failed coup in Russia has already sparked rumors and theories about his fate and future appointment. His whereabouts were first revealed through photographs published by Meduza, which drew attention to images released by the Russian embassy in Algeria. Among a group of staff members, there was a man in glasses with facial features resembling those of the former Russian general. Although his name was not indicated in the photos, Russian sources quickly noted that he held the position of “leader of a group of Russian military specialists.” This phrasing, combined with diplomatic sources and hints regarding the role of individuals within military delegations or advisory groups, provided grounds for identifying the person. It is important to emphasize that the lack of public appearances and official information regarding Surovikin began in late summer 2023 — around the time when the Wagner PMC uprising, led by Evgeny Prigozhin, erupted in Russia. During the period of uncertainty following this incident, rumors circulated: Russian media reported that the general might have known about the coup plans in advance, and his role remained questionable. Another aspect was his possible detention or concealment, as many sources speculated about his involvement in the events or active avoidance of the public eye. Later, after Prigozhin’s death in a plane crash, reports emerged claiming that Surovikin had allegedly been detained and then released, which added further mystery around his persona. Officially, Russia did not confirm his fate, and his status remained uncertain. Regarding military operations in Ukraine, Sergey Surovikin commanded the combined Russian forces from October 2022 to January 2023 — a period during which Moscow intensified its efforts in the eastern part of the country and tested various strategies to achieve Donbas objectives. Recently, attention to his person was drawn by reports that in September 2023 he was in Algeria. Media speculated that this visit could signal further changes in his career, possibly favoring an eastern direction. After it was announced in February 2025 by State Duma Defense Committee member Viktor Sobolev that Surovikin is currently serving as a military advisor in one of the African countries, this information was interpreted as another step in his life outside Russia. At the same time, there are assumptions that his stay in Algeria and work as an advisor might be part of a broader game by the Russian military-political elite — aiming to strengthen his position or seek new avenues for the further development of military campaigns. Overall, Surovikin’s fate following the deadly events in Russia remains a mystery. His transition into the shadows, concealment in an African country, and possible new phase in his career point to significant internal struggles and reorganization within the Russian military elite, which still needs to be thoroughly investigated. One thing is certain — this has not been the last step in the destiny of a figure who had a significant impact on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and continues to be a subject of interest for diplomats, journalists, and analysts worldwide.