Russia. Vladimir Putin is looking for a successor to Yevgeny Prigozhin

Troshev’s name, or rather – the nickname “Seidoi” – was mentioned by Vladimir Putin during a conversation with journalists on the occasion of his visit to the International Trade Center in Moscow on Thursday. The Russian leader told a journalist from the Kommersant newspaper that he offered several “employment” opportunities to the Wagner Group’s mercenaries under the direction of their immediate commander. Putin referred to his nickname as “Chitoi” (Grey).

“It’s about a man the Wagner Group’s mercenaries have been working with for the last 16 months” – mentioned “Kommersant”.

See also: Attack on Ukraine. Live broadcast tvn24.pl

The nickname “Siedoy” is used by retired Russian colonel Andrei Troshev. He was one of the main commanders of the Wagner group, with the title of Hero of Russia, through which mercenary formation cooperated with Sergei Shoigu’s Ministry of Defense. “He is, according to the president’s words, the new head of the Wagner Group on Russian territory,” Russian media outlet RTVI reported.

RTVI published a profile of the 61-year-old Trosso, who was born in the city of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), reminding us that the nickname “Siedoj” dates back to his time fighting in Syria as part of the Wagner group. He was retired then. Previously, Troszew served in a Special Rapid Response Unit (SOBR) as part of the National Guard and OMON. A veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Chechnya, he was twice awarded the Order of the Red Star.

Independent Russian media previously reported that Troshev was awarded Hero of Russia – the highest title – on March 17, 2016 by a secret decree from Putin. He was awarded the award “for bravery and gallantry displayed while performing a special duty”. The Fontanka portal wrote that the officer was rewarded for the capture of Syrian Palmyra.

Before the meeting with Putin after Yevgeny Prigozhin’s armed rebellion, the fate of the Wagner group was decided, Troshev was named as the chairman of the board of St. Petersburg. After a meeting in the Kremlin, he left the position, RTVI reported.

According to documents from the mercenary formation, Droß Wagner was a member of the Special Branch of the Group Security Service, which was responsible for “maintaining the secret regime, personnel, financial and information security.”

Russian media recalled that Troshev’s signature appeared on several documents distributed by Yevgeny Prigozhin’s press service. They worried that the Russians would join the ranks of the Wagnerians fighting in the Ukraine.

According to “Kommersant”, Putin’s proposal about “Sedoy” was made in the presence of Yevgeny Prigozhin, who replied to the president that the Wagnerians “will not accept it”.

According to the American TV station CNN, referring to the reports of “Kommersant”, Putin led to a split between the commanders of the Wagner Group and its head Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The station recalled that Troszew was sanctioned by the European Union for supporting the Syrian regime.

Ukraine imposed economic sanctions on Troshev in February 2023 after an armed invasion broke out.

Meanwhile, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s fate remains unclear.

At the end of June this year some armed Wagnerians left for Belarus against Sergei Shoigu’s Ministry of Defense. On Friday, the Ministry of Defense in Minsk reported on exercises conducted by mercenaries of the Wagner Group near Osipovichi in the Mogilev region.