In a surprising turn of events, the head of Russia's aerospace force, General Sergei Surovikin, has been sacked. This comes after he disappeared from public view following a failed mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group in June. Surovikin, nicknamed General Armageddon for his ruthless methods, had close ties with Wagner and was rumored to have been removed after the mercenary group rebelled against Russia's military leadership. According to reports from Russia's state-run RIA news agency, Surovikin has been relieved of his post, and Colonel-General Viktor Afzalov, Chief of Staff of the aerospace force, will temporarily replace him.

Surovikin, a veteran of Moscow's wars starting with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, played a prominent role as a leading commander in Moscow's Ukraine offensive and had been seen as Wagner's ally in the Defense Ministry. The tensions between Wagner and Russian military leaders came to a head in May when Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin accused the military of failing to provide his forces with ammunition.

Surovikin was officially named as an intermediary between Wagner and the army during this time. Things took a dramatic turn on the night of June 23rd when Prigozhin called for the toppling of Russia's military command. In an unprecedented move, Surovikin made a video appeal to the mercenary group, but less than 24 hours later, Prigozhin had turned his forces back and agreed to a deal with the Kremlin to be exiled to Belarus. Since then, Surovikin has been absent from public appearances, sparking speculation about his status.

In July, a lawmaker and former army officer stated that Surovikin was resting and not available. However, his sudden dismissal suggests a different story. It is unclear what role Surovikin will assume within the Ministry of Defense, but reports indicate that he will continue serving in some capacity. These events shed light on the complex dynamics within Russia's military and the relationships between military leaders and private military companies like Wagner. It also highlights the power struggles and potential instability within the country's military establishment.

The dismissal of a high-ranking official like Surovikin raises questions about the future direction of Russia's aerospace force and the impact it may have on the country's military operations. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how these developments will shape Russia's military landscape.