 The Kremlin on June 29 declined to answer questions about Russian General Sergei Surovikhin, whose status and location have not been made public since an abortive armed, mercenary mutiny on June 24. Nicknamed General Armageddon by the Russian press for his aggressive tactics in the Syrian conflict, Surovikhin, who is deputy commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, has been absent from view since Saturday, when he appeared in a video appealing to mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigazin to halt his mutiny. He had looked exhausted in that video and it was unclear if he was speaking under duress. There have since been unconfirmed reports that he is being questioned by the security services. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred questions about Surovikhin to the Defense Ministry, which has so far not made any statement about him. Asked by reporters if the Kremlin could clarify the situation with Surovikhin, Peskov said, no, unfortunately not. So I recommend that you contact the Defense Ministry, this is its prerogative. When a reporter asked if President Vladimir Putin still continued to trust Surovikhin, Peskov said, he is the supreme commander-in-chief and he works with the Defense Minister and with the chief of the general staff. Questions about structural units within the Ministry, Peskov said, should be addressed to the Defense Ministry.