CNN: Surovikin Was Secret VIP Member Of Wagner

We have exclusive documents on the involvement of more than 30 senior Russian military figures in the PMC.

Russian General Sergei Surovikin was a secret VIP member of the Wagner private military contractor, CNN reported, citing exclusive documents.

The documents, obtained by the Russian Center for Investigative Files, show that Surovikin belonged to the Wagner PMC. Surovikin is listed with at least 30 other top Russian military and intelligence officials who, according to the Centre for Investigative Files, are also members of the Wagner VIP.

Surovikin has not appeared in public since last Saturday, when he released a video pleading with Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin to end his mutiny. His whereabouts have been unknown since.

Wagner has not responded to CNN's request for comment. It is unclear what Wagner's VIP membership entails, including any financial benefits.

Surovikin was known to have contacts with a group of mercenaries, but the documents cast doubt on the close ties between the Russian military's top brass and Wagner.

As Charter97.org wrote, the Financial Times, citing anonymous sources, reported yesterday that Surovikin was detained after the failed Prigozhin mutiny and the Kremlin regime began a purge of the top security services.

The Moscow Times, citing two sources close to the aggressor country's defence ministry, claimed that Surovikin had been arrested.

The New York Times, citing several sources, wrote that according to the US security services, Surovikin knew in advance of Prigozhin's preparations for the mutiny.