Feygin emphasized that the power apparatus of the Russian Federation won the confrontation with elements like Prigozhin and Kadyrov.

The appointment of the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov as the commander of the Russian occupation forces in Ukraine instead of General Serhii Surovykin shows that Shoigu and Gerasimov managed to get out of disgrace and regain their positions.

Russian human rights defender and lawyer Mark Feigin expressed the opinion on Apostrophe TV that the power apparatus of the Russian Federation won the confrontation with “various unconventional elements like Prigozhin and Kadyrov.”

“Now they will be subordinate to the commander of the so-called “special operation”, and I think that Gerasimov will use the opportunity to set impossible tasks for the “Wagner” PMC. But I think that this is a purely hardware game: they somehow convinced Putin – and that’s all with him agreed – that it is necessary to return the situation to centralized leadership, discipline and respect for superiors. And Putin, as usual, promised one thing at the briefing, and as a result played everything in the opposite direction,” the expert explained.

At the same time, Feigin drew attention to the fact that Konashenkov, contrary to Prigozhin’s statements that Soledar was practically occupied by the occupiers, noted that the city had not yet been taken.

“And this is a clear blow in the direction of these paramilitary formations, which are not subject to a single command, in particular, PMK “Wagner”. And I think that the generals are restoring their position,” he noted.

Feigin also recalled the words of Prigozhin’s mercenaries to Gerasimov. The human rights defender does not rule out that the commander of the so-called “special operation” will not simply leave this case alone.

“Do you remember the story when Prigozhin’s “contract workers” called Gerasimov a ***? And Prigozhin confirmed that it was his mercenaries who said that, that they really think so. And what will they call him now, addressing him now as to the commander of the “special operation”, and not only as the head of the General Staff? And how will Gerasimov behave in relation to these “Wagnerians”, who will now clearly be found and it is not known what will be done with them. Such things are not forgiven,” Feygin emphasized.

Appointment of Gerasimov as the commander of the occupiers in Ukraine

On January 11, 2023, it became known that the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Valery Gerasimov was appointed as the commander of the United Group of Russian occupiers in Ukraine. Previously, this position was held by Serhiy Surovikin.

Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the head of the President’s Office, said that the change of the commander of the Russian occupiers in Ukraine shows that the rematch of classic generalship has taken place in the Russian Federation. The generals in Russia are beginning to push back FSBshnikov and the owner of the private military company “Wagner”, Yevhen Prigozhin.

At the same time, the pro-war Russian audience is openly angered by the decision of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to demote Serhiy Surovikin, whom propagandists called “General Armageddon” back in October.