Russia has reportedly appointed General Sergei Surovikin to lead its military advisors in Algeria, a development reported by the French daily Le Monde on Thursday, June 12. While the Russian Ministry of Defense has not officially announced this appointment of the former commander of the Wagner paramilitary group, a Russian media outlet revealed on May 12 that the Russian embassy in Algeria indirectly confirmed Surovikin's new position. This confirmation stemmed from photographs taken during a Victory Day commemoration ceremony (May 9, 1945, marking victory against the Nazis) in the Algerian capital. Surovikin was seen in these photos during a wreath-laying at the Deli Ibrahim military cemetery, with accompanying captions stating he now holds the position of 'head of the group of Russian military advisors in Algeria. The Russian media further highlighted that General Sergei Surovikin was part of a delegation led by Russian Deputy Defense Minister, General Alexander Fomine, who visited Algiers in November 2024. This visit included a meeting with the head of the Algerian armed forces, Said Chengriha.
