In spite of rumours that he had been “purged,” Putin‘s top officer in charge of the campaign against Ukraine made an appearance in a new film.
Since Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner, sought his removal during the failed uprising last month, Valery Gerasimov has not been seen.
By releasing video showing the general listening to a report from his military leaders, the Kremlin appears to be putting an end to speculations of the general’s death.
During his attempted coup, Prigozhin repeatedly denounced Gerasimov and defence minister Sergei Shoigu for denying supplies to his mercenary fighters in Ukraine.
Gerasimov’s absence since the revolt prompted claims Putin had got rid of him, something the Russian president has not been shy about doing.
Putin has fired several leaders during the war, including Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev, known as ‘The Butcher of Mariupol’, and General Rustam Muradov who was behind the massacre in Vuhledar.
The uncertainty over Gerasimov follows reports Putin is furious by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky bringing key commanders of the Azov regiment home from Turkey.
Moscow claims it was ‘deceived’ over an agreement that Azov commander Denys Prokopenko, 32, and his lieutenants would remain in Turkey after their part in the Siege of Mariupol.
Putin is also likely to be further enraged by Zelensky’s visit to the liberated Snake Island in the Black Sea, marking the 500th day of the war.