Surovikin was close to Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who died in a plane crash last month.

According to reports, Gen Surovikin is being investigated for possible mutiny complicity.

On social media, however, is a photo purportedly showing Russia’s former commander in Ukraine.

In a caption on Monday, well-known Russian media personality Ksenia Sobchak wrote, “General Sergei Surovikin is out. Alive and healthy, at home with his family in Moscow.”.

In the photo, a man wearing sunglasses walks arm in arm with a red-haired woman who resembles Anna, the wife of the general.

Alexei Venediktov wrote on Telegram: “General Surovikin is at home with his family. He is on leave and available to the defense ministry.” Wagner’s mercenaries threatened to march on Moscow on 23 and 24 June.

Prigozhin and nine others died in the crash near Moscow on 23 August, which sparked frenzied speculation. After the failed mutiny, many described Wagner’s boss as a “dead man walking.”

In a video posted during the mutiny, Gen Surovikin urged the Wagner forces to cease their actions. Several days later, media reports said he had been arrested, but his location has not been confirmed.

Three months after being placed in charge of Russian forces in Ukraine, the general was removed.

“General Armageddon” gained a reputation for brutality during Russian operations in Syria.