READ MORE <\/strong> Prigozhin death backfires on Putin as only ally in Europe now under threat<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cRemember, most if not all Russian media are controlled by the state.<\/p>\n Surovikin’s sacking was first reported by the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.<\/p>\n Its report cited an “unnamed but informed source who allegedly told the outlet that Surovikin had been \u201crelieved of his post\u201d, only to be replaced by Colonel-General Viktor Afzalov, head of the main staff of the air force.<\/p>\n The unnamed source was quoted as saying: “The ex-Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces of Russia, Sergey Surovikin, has now been relieved of his post.<\/p>\n DON’T MISS: <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n “Colonel-General Viktor Afzalov, Chief of the General Staff of the Aerospace Forces, is temporarily acting as Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces.”<\/p>\n Koffler added: “This story has the hallmarks of a Russian tradecraft called ‘information confrontation,’ which is intended to confuse the opponent, divert his attention and stretch his resources, especially our intelligence resources that would otherwise be focused on the real Russian target that matters \u2013 today, it\u2019s the battlefield in Ukraine and Putin\u2019s decision-making process, plans and intentions.<\/p>\n Surovikin had taken the place of leading Russian General Gennady Zhidko, 58, earlier this year.<\/p>\n This week, Zhidko was found dead after struggling with a “lengthy illness”.<\/p>\n Zhidko took over the management of the Russian Army in Ukraine two months after the invasion began in February 2022.<\/p>\n He lost the job to Surovikin less than six months later after he failed to deliver on Putin’s goal of conquering the city of Kharkiv.<\/p>\n Surovikin has not been seen in public since June.<\/p>\n Documents leaked back in June revealed that Surovikin had allegedly been a secret VIP member of the mercenary Wagner Group.<\/p>\n He had been assigned a personal VIP Wagner registration number as early as 2018, a document obtained by the Dossier Center indicated.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Sergey-Surovikin-4928613.jpg?r=1693041508908\")
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‘Decapitated’ Wagner split between two options as group can’t continue[EXCLUSIVE] <\/strong>
Prigozhin’s death was a violent end to a violent man, writes John Foreman[COMMENT] <\/strong>
‘Wagner will be a bigger threat under Putin’ after chief killed in plane crash[ANALYSIS] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Putin-4928616.jpg?r=1693041508964\")
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