Russia has ruled out Switzerland as location for peace talks, saying it had “lost its status as a neutral state ” after supporting EU sanctions. Surovikin is the head of the Russian aerospace forces and was formerly Moscow’s supreme commander in Ukraine. The New York Times, citing anonymous US intelligence sources, reported that Surovikin had prior knowledge of the uprising led by the Wagner chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, with whom he had well publicised links. The general, who previously led the invasion force in Ukraine, has not been seen in public since Saturday. Surovikin’s daughter told the website Baza that “nothing happened to, no one arrested him and now everyone is at their jobs”. Three people familiar with the matter told the Financial Times that Surovikin was being detained while sources citing US and Ukrainian intelligence reports spoke told the AP. The Financial Times and Associated Press have reported this. Reports have emerged that Gen Sergei Surovikin has been detained in Russia. Yevgeny Prigozhin refused to sign any contracts with the Kremlin, according to the head of the Duma defence committee, Andrei Kartapolov.
Wagner mercenaries will no longer fight in Ukraine after their chief refuse d to sign contracts with the Kremlin.
