Russian military faces challenges after Wagner uprising
Russia has appointed a new interim head of its aerospace forces, Colonel-General Viktor Afzalov, to replace General Sergei Surovikin, who disappeared from the top spot after a brief Wagner mercenary uprising against the military leadership in June.
The uprising was reportedly led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Russian businessman who is known for his ties to the Wagner Group, a private military company. Surovikin, who at one point commanded Russia's overall war effort in Ukraine, appeared in a video during the uprising, urging Prigozhin to stand down.
It is unclear why Surovikin disappeared after the uprising. Some reports have said he was under investigation for possible complicity in the mutiny, while others have said he was simply relieved of his duties.
Afzalov, the new interim head of the aerospace forces, is a veteran of the Russian military. He has held a number of high-ranking positions, including commander of the Russian Air Force's Southern Military District.
The appointment of Afzalov comes at a time of uncertainty for the Russian military. The Wagner uprising was a major embarrassment for the Kremlin, and it is unclear how the Russian military will respond to the challenges it faces in Ukraine and elsewhere.
