A Russian army general, Ivan Ivanovich Popov, who previously oversaw the defense of occupied Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, has been arrested on fraud charges. Popov, who holds the rank of major general and was the ex-commander of the 58th Guards Combined Arms Army, was reportedly arrested on suspicion of fraud by the 235th Garrison Military Court. The specific details of the fraud charges against Popov have not been disclosed, and there has been no immediate comment from the Russian Defense Ministry or other law enforcement agencies about his arrest.
In July 2023, Popov was relieved of his role as commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army after complaining about systemic mismanagement within the military to former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. An audio file shared by State Duma lawmaker Andrei Gurulyov at the time captured Popov criticizing his superiors for “treacherously decapitating” the military after his dismissal. This incident marked the first known instance of a regular army officer expressing discontent following the failed revolt by the Wagner mercenary group the month before. Popov’s arrest now adds to the recent string of high-ranking military officials in Russia facing legal troubles, including Lieutenant-General Yury Kuznetsov and Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, who were both arrested on bribery charges.
The arrest of General Popov indicates a wider crackdown within Russia’s military, as authorities target officials for corruption and other illicit activities. The recent arrests of high-ranking military personnel suggest that there may be a significant effort to clean up corruption and misconduct within the Russian armed forces. This purge could be a response to growing concerns about ethics and accountability within the military, particularly in the wake of the failed Wagner mercenary group revolt and other instances of internal disarray. The consistent arrests of high-profile individuals like Popov, Kuznetsov, and Ivanov may reflect a broader push for transparency and integrity in the Russian military.
The crackdown on corruption and misconduct within the Russian military comes amid a broader political climate that has seen increased repression of independent voices and media organizations. The Moscow Times, an independent news source that has been operating for over 30 years, was recently labeled as a “foreign agent” by the Russian government, a move widely seen as an attempt to silence critical journalism. The journalists at The Moscow Times have refused to be silenced and remain committed to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia. However, they face significant challenges due to the government’s attempts to suppress independent media.
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