Devendra Kumar
Major General Ivan Popov, the commander of the 58th Army fighting in Ukraine’s southern region, was dismissed from his position after speaking out about the challenges faced by his troops. In an audio message to his soldiers, he criticized the lack of support from the top military brass, saying they were more concerned with appearances than with the well-being of their soldiers. Popov, who is known for his approachable and honest leadership style, blamed the top commanders for the Russian army’s difficulties in the war, saying they prioritized winning over losing soldiers.
According to Popov, the top officers were angered by his frank talk and saw him as a threat to their authority. He said the decision to remove him was made quickly, with the defense minister signing the order just one day after their meeting. Popov’s dismissal has been met with widespread condemnation from military bloggers and some Russian officials, who see it as a blow to morale and a sign of the dysfunctional nature of the Russian military command.
The news comes on the heels of another high-ranking officer, Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov, being killed by a Ukrainian missile strike. The loss of Tsokov has further eroded troop morale, and Popov’s criticism of the top brass has reignited debate about the country’s military leadership. The controversy has also raised questions about the role of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the mercenary chief who led a brief rebellion against Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month.
Prigozhin’s rebellion, which was quickly quashed, was seen as a major threat to Putin’s authority, and Popov’s criticism of the top brass echoes some of the same concerns as Prigozhin’s rebellion. However, Popov’s statement was seen as a call for help from Putin, rather than a full-blown rebellion. The situation highlights the deepening divisions within the Russian military and the continued challenges faced by Russian troops in Ukraine.