He had been arrested two years ago for criticizing the Russian military hierarchy. Now he was released and gave him a “poisoned chalice”, “a death sentence”
Russian general removed after criticism of the military hierarchy returns to the battlefield-now ahead of unit composed of former recluses
by Tim Lister e Katharina krebsCNN
One of the most critical Russian generals of the hierarchy, who was deprived and detained after making a fierce attack to the Ministry of Defense two years ago, is back in front of combat, according to his lawyer.
But, according to the Russian state media, a “poisoned cup” was given to him: the command of a unit of former priors in the front line-a battalion that suffered devastating losses in Ukraine.
Two years ago, Major-General Ivan Popov was the awarded commander of the 58th combined army in southern Ukraine, receiving praise for his leadership.
Then he made a mistake – he sent an audio to some colleagues in which he harshly criticized the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, stating that he had been dismissed for complaining about the situation.
“The Ukraine Armed Forces failed to break our lines ahead, (but) our upper commander hit us in the back, betraying and miserably beheading the army at the most difficult and tense moment,” said Popov sent in July 2023.
Most of his criticism aimed at Russian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Valery Gerasimov.
Popov stated that by complaining about the lack of support of artillery and other problems, “the superior commanders felt dangerous in me and quickly, in a single day, made an order for the Minister of Defense, they moved me from the chain of command and got rid of me.”
Kateryna Stepanenko of the War Study Institute, headquartered in Washington DC, states that Popov’s resignation “revolted Russian, officers, and veteran ultranationalists who accused the Ministry of Defense to push him away to cover up problems in the Russian armed forces.”
At the time, the top of the military hierarchy was particularly sensitive to criticism – less than a month after the failed revolt of the deceased Wagner group leader.
And Popov’s situation would still get worse. Initially he was sent to Syria as the deputy commander of the Russian contingent in that country, but in May last year he was arrested on suspicion of fraud, an accusation that has always denied.
The prosecutor’s office even filed a six -year prison sentence in the event of a conviction and Popov was officially expelled from the Armed Forces. Still, their supporters remained active in their defense.
Stepanenko believes that Kremlin “favored, to a large extent, to convince Russian, official, and veterans of the alleged Popov implication in the event of diversion of funds, which resulted in a persistent reaction on social networks.”
Popov even wrote an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, published by state -owned media in late March, asking to return to the battlefield. He described Putin as his “moral and model guide,” whose example “finally made me understand the meaning of legendary words: ‘cold head, warm heart and clean hands’.”
Popov’s desire has now been granted, albeit with reservations.
Last week, Russian state media reported that their lawyer and the Ministry of Defense had reached agreement to allow Popov to return to active service rather than facing a possible conviction.
The lawyer, Sergei Buinovsky, was quoted by Tass by saying: “We have, together with the Ministry of Defense, a motion to suspend the process… with the positive decision to send Ivan Ivanovich to the SVO (Special Military Operation)”. Moscow continues to use this term to refer to the large -scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in 2022.
It has not yet been confirmed whether the Military Court approved the agreement, but Popov’s supporters among Russian military bloggers celebrated.
“The legendary combat general has returned ahead of battle!” Wrote Vladimir Rogov, an influential blogger.
But there was one if not. Popov would not return to his estimated 58th Army.
On Thursday, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that Popov would be “sent to the SVO – not as a shallow soldier but as commander of one of the Storm Z units”, citing a source in security forces.
On the same day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to comment, during a press conference with journalists, “the intention of General Popov, accused of diversion of funds, of participating in the special operation.”
However, Stepanenko describes this mission as “practically a death sentence, as the Russian military command mainly uses the ‘Storm Z’ criminal detachments in”.
Kremlin continues to support the use of prisoners in combat. Putin recently promised to grant veteran status to members of Storm Z.
“Let’s certainly solve this. I don’t see any problem here,” Putin said at a meeting last month. “I have great calls, I will reach an agreement with the government and the deputies,” he added.
As Russian forces seek to increase the number of experienced officers in Ukraine, they are increasingly resorting to those who have fallen into disgrace.
“It seems that Putin has created a new redemption system, in which dishonored responsible and commanders have an opportunity to recover the president’s favor, provided they publicly confess their crimes and offer to fight in Ukraine,” says Stepanenko.
Popov denies the accusations imputed to him and the Military Court has not yet officially approved the agreement between his defense and the Ministry of Defense.
But it is well familiar with the notorious Russian units of former recluses – who played a central role in the offensive against Bakhmut in 2023, having in the process.
While leading the 58th Army, Popov was linked to a battalion of former prisoners known as “Storm Gladiator”, a special robbery unit within the Storm Z group.
This unit was part of “hundreds of convicts with previous military experience, which received training from former elements of the Wagner Group and the Chechen Forces ‘Akhmat’,” says Stepanenko. But it suffered significant casualties in the so -called “”, frontal robberies of infantry against strongly defended positions. Investigations indicate that Storm Gladiator’s detachments had a survival rate of only 40%.
When he returns to the battlefield, Popov will need all his military experience to keep his former recluses – and himself.
