An online snapshot seems to show a Russian general who has been missing since the Wagner mercenary force staged a mutiny in June.
Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who died in a plane crash last month, was reportedly close to Sergei Surovikin.
According to rumors, Gen. Surovikin is being questioned about his suspected involvement in the rebellion.
However, a photo that purports to represent Russia's former commander in Ukraine has been shared online.
Sergei Surovikin, the general, has been relieved of his duties and has been dismissed. In good health and living in Moscow with his family. This photo was taken today," Ksenia Sobchak, a prominent figure in Russian media, captioned the image on Monday on the messaging app Telegram.
The BBC has not yet confirmed that the photograph showing a man in sunglasses and a woman with red hair who appears to be the general's wife Anna is genuine.
Separately, Russian writer Alexei Venediktov tweeted on Telegram, "General Surovikin is at home with his family. He is now on leave and available to serve in the Defense Department.
Find out who the ruthless commander Surovikin is.
Wagner's boss Prigozhin has spent a lot of his life on the edge.
On June 23 and 24, Wagner's mercenaries briefly mutinied and threatened to march on Moscow.
The tragedy that took the lives of Prigozhin and nine people on August 23 near Moscow sparked widespread panic. Many people felt the Wagner chief was "dead man walking" following the failed revolt.
During the mutiny, General Surovikin was last seen on camera pleading with the Wagner forces to stop their violence.
Days later, media reports said he had been arrested, but his whereabouts remain unknown.
The Russian general was put in charge of Ukrainian forces in October, but he was replaced three months later.
During Russian operations in Syria, he earned the nickname "General Armageddon" for his ruthlessness.
Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who died in a plane crash last month, was reportedly close to Sergei Surovikin.
According to rumors, Gen. Surovikin is being questioned about his suspected involvement in the rebellion.
However, a photo that purports to represent Russia's former commander in Ukraine has been shared online.
Sergei Surovikin, the general, has been relieved of his duties and has been dismissed. In good health and living in Moscow with his family. This photo was taken today," Ksenia Sobchak, a prominent figure in Russian media, captioned the image on Monday on the messaging app Telegram.
The BBC has not yet confirmed that the photograph showing a man in sunglasses and a woman with red hair who appears to be the general's wife Anna is genuine.
Separately, Russian writer Alexei Venediktov tweeted on Telegram, "General Surovikin is at home with his family. He is now on leave and available to serve in the Defense Department.
Find out who the ruthless commander Surovikin is.
Wagner's boss Prigozhin has spent a lot of his life on the edge.
On June 23 and 24, Wagner's mercenaries briefly mutinied and threatened to march on Moscow.
The tragedy that took the lives of Prigozhin and nine people on August 23 near Moscow sparked widespread panic. Many people felt the Wagner chief was "dead man walking" following the failed revolt.
During the mutiny, General Surovikin was last seen on camera pleading with the Wagner forces to stop their violence.
Days later, media reports said he had been arrested, but his whereabouts remain unknown.
The Russian general was put in charge of Ukrainian forces in October, but he was replaced three months later.
During Russian operations in Syria, he earned the nickname "General Armageddon" for his ruthlessness.
