The sources spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
It is not known whether Surovikin is facing charges or where he is being held, reflecting the opacity of Russian politics and the uncertainty in the country after the riot.
But his alleged arrest came days after the Wagner Group mercenaries seized the military headquarters in the Russian city of Rostov and headed toward Moscow in what appeared to be an abortive insurrection.
Wagner’s boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has been complimentary of Surovikin while criticizing other officers and suggesting that he be appointed chief of staff to replace General Valery Gerasimo. The New York Times reported that, according to US officials, Surovikin knew in advance of Prigozhin’s plan.
The White House and the Kremlin did not comment.
Surovikin, who has long-standing ties to Prigozhin, has not appeared since the start of the rebellion, when he posted a video calling for an end to it.
A Russian military blog and the Moscow Times and Financial Times newspapers reported that Surovikin, commander of the Russian air force, is in jail.
Alexei Venediktov, former head of the independent Ekho Moskvy radio station, which authorities shut down after the invasion of Ukraine, said Surovikin and his close lieutenants have had no contact with their families for three days, but stopped short of saying he was in jail.
Another well-known military messaging channel, Rybar, run by a former Defense Ministry press official, reported that a purge was underway and authorities were investigating allegations that some had sided with Prigozhin.
Surovikin and Prigozhin were active in Syria, where Russia has been waging a military campaign since 2015 to bolster the government of President Bashar Assad and help him recapture territory lost in a devastating civil war.
Prigozhin hurled profane insults last week at Shoigu and the chief of staff, General Valery Gerasimov, and during the riot demanded their dismissal, but has consistently praised Surovikin, who nonetheless called for an end to it.
On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to answer questions about Surovikin’s alleged arrest.
Asked by the Associated Press if the president still trusts Surovikin, he replied that Putin works with the defense minister and the chief of the General Staff, and referred questions about the officers, including Surovikin, to the ministry.
FUENTE: Associated Press
