Sergey Surovikin
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| Sergey Surovikin | |
|---|---|
| Name | Sergey Surovikin |
| Birth date | 11 October 1966 |
| Birth place | Novosibirsk, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, Soviet Union |
| Allegiance | Soviet Union (1983–1991), Russia (1991–2023) |
| Branch | Soviet Army (1983–1991), Russian Ground Forces (1991–2023) |
| Serviceyears | 1983–2023 |
| Rank | General of the army |
| Commands | Eastern Military District, Russian Aerospace Forces, Russian Joint Group of Forces in Syria, Russian Group of Forces in Ukraine |
| Battles | Soviet–Afghan War, First Chechen War, Second Chechen War, Syrian Civil War, Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Awards | Hero of the Russian Federation, Order of St. George, Order of Courage |
Sergey Surovikin is a former senior officer in the Russian Armed Forces who attained the rank of General of the army. His career spanned four decades, including command roles in major conflicts such as the Syrian Civil War and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He gained significant notoriety for his leadership of the Russian Aerospace Forces and his subsequent appointment as overall commander of Russian forces in Ukraine in 2022. His military service concluded amid the fallout from the 2023 Wagner Group rebellion.
Early life and education
He was born on 11 October 1966 in Novosibirsk, within the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. He entered the Soviet Army in 1983, graduating from the Omsk Armored Engineering Institute and later from the prestigious M. V. Frunze Military Academy in Moscow. His early officer training was completed at the Moscow Higher Military Command School, laying the foundation for a career that would see rapid advancement through the ranks of the Russian Ground Forces.
Military career
His operational experience began during the final years of the Soviet–Afghan War. He later commanded the 34th Motorized Rifle Division during the Second Chechen War. In 2004, he led the 42nd Guards Motor Rifle Division based in Chechnya. His command appointments included leadership of the 20th Guards Combined Arms Army and later the entire Eastern Military District. In 2017, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, a position he held until 2022, overseeing operations in Syria.
Role in the Syrian Civil War
From 2017, as head of the Russian Aerospace Forces, he was directly responsible for orchestrating the Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War. He commanded the Russian Joint Group of Forces in Syria, where tactics involving heavy aerial bombardment of urban centers like Aleppo and Ghouta were employed, contributing significantly to the stabilization of the Bashar al-Assad regime. His tenure earned him a reputation for ruthless efficiency and the nickname "General Armageddon" in the Russian media.
Role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine
In October 2022, following Russian setbacks in the Kharkiv counteroffensive and around Kherson, he was appointed commander of the Russian Group of Forces in Ukraine by President Vladimir Putin. He oversaw the construction of extensive defensive fortifications known as the Surovikin line and ordered the withdrawal from Kherson in November 2022. In January 2023, his role was diminished when Valery Gerasimov was placed above him as overall commander, though he remained as a deputy.
2023 Wagner Group rebellion and aftermath
During the 2023 Wagner Group rebellion led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, he publicly appealed for the mercenaries to halt their march on Moscow. Following the rebellion's collapse, he disappeared from public view. In late August 2023, Russian state news agency TASS and other outlets reported he had been relieved of his command and dismissed from the Russian Armed Forces. His exact status and whereabouts following his dismissal have remained unclear.
Awards and honors
He received numerous state awards throughout his career, most notably the title of Hero of the Russian Federation. His decorations include the Order of St. George (4th class), the Order of Courage, the Order for Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR (3rd class), and the Order of Military Merit. He also received various medals for military service and campaign medals for his actions in Chechnya and Syria.
Category:Russian generals Category:1966 births Category:People from Novosibirsk Category:Heroes of the Russian Federation