Ukraine War Day #585: Meet The New (Wagner) Boss!

Dear Readers:

And now for something completely different! From Waffen SS Nazis to … (er) Wagner! So, I have this piece from KP, it’s about a fellow named Andrei Troshev. He is the new commander of the Wagner forces, and goes by the call sign Sedoi which is Russian for “the grey one”. Probably alluding to his grey hair.

From Left to Right: Putin, Evkurov, Troshev aka “Sedoi”

Russian state television showed President Putin meeting his Deputy Minister of Defense, General Yunus-bek Evkurov, along side Colonel Andrei Troshev. The latter will assume the command of the Wagner forces, effective immediately. Putin: “You yourself used to serve in these formations, therefore you know all the issues which must be decided in a prompt manner, so that our military tasks can proceed in the best and most successful way.”

Despite his prior ties to Wagner and his Hero status (Gold Star), Andrei Nikolaevich is a relatively unknown entity among the Russian people. But everybody is talking about him now, and why he it was he who was chosen for this important job. Reasons are given as follows:

• Along with Utkin and Prigozhin, Troshev can actually be considered one of the founders of the Wagner formation. Troshev’s specialty was planning and logistics.
• Even before the Special Military Operation (SMO) Troshev had tons of military experience, serving in Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Syria, for example.
• Back in August, Troshev had a falling out with his old friend, Prigozhin, when the latter announced that “his boys” would never sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense. Whereas Troshin supported the idea of integrating with regular military. A few days later, just by sheer coincidence [!] Prigozhin perished in a horrible plane crash. And so now we know whose ideas have prevailed.

Biography

Some biographical info: Troshev is 61 years old. He was born in Leningrad. He graduated from Artillery School and Academy. In Afghanistan he commanded a Battery of Self-Propelled Artillery mounts. He won the order of the Red Star, twice. For battles in Chechnya and Dagestan, he was the Medal of Valor, twice.

Yunus-bek Evkurov

After retiring from the army, Troshev entered a second career as a cop. He went back to school and graduated from Police Academy, then served in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. And then retired again, in 2012, with the rank of Police Colonel. However, in October of 2015, in connection with the Syria war, Troshev expressed an interest in returning to military service. Where he fought within the ranks of Wagner. For his bravery he was awarded the title of Hero of Russia. Westie press noticed, and complained about, Troshev, because his efforts were so helpful for the Assad “regime”.

And then, with the start of the SMO, Troshev has been back in the saddle again, and now will employ full command over the legendary Wagner forces. He inherits a name, a reputation, and a brand which still enjoys massive popularity among the Russian people.

As for Evkurov, the fact that he sat side by side with Troshev at that meeting, is a hint to Kremlinologists that he will most likely “curate” the Wagner formation in its new role on the battlefield. The grizzled Dagestani veteran is in charge of military training in general. And Troshev knows Wagner like the back of his hand. He knows the people, and he will try to entice as many of “the boys” possible to return to the front. Those who are willing, at least.

Meanwhile, word is leaking out that the first of the new batch of Wagnerites are showing up in Artyomovsk. Of course, Artyomovsk! Bakhmut! And rumor has it, these are the Wagnerites who remained loyal to Troshev and refused to join Prigozhin’s mutiny.

This time there will be no contradictions whatsoever between the Ministry of Defense and the Wagnerites: All will be marching together in lockstep and working in complete community for the common goal: Victory.