In a development reflecting internal divisions within the Russian military, a Russian general responsible for forces fighting in southern Ukraine has been relieved of his duties after publicly addressing the challenges faced by his troops. Major General Ivan Popov, commander of the 58th Army in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, was dismissed following a meeting with top military officials.

In an audio statement released to his troops on Wednesday, Popov revealed that his frank discussion about the shortages his forces faced, particularly the lack of radar systems to track enemy artillery, led to his dismissal. This deficiency resulted in significant casualties for Russian troops. Popov expressed his belief that the military leadership perceived him as a threat and swiftly moved to remove him, an action he described as a betrayal.

In the released audio message, Popov, also known as Spartacus, referred to his troops as “gladiators.” Retired General Andrei Gurulev, a former commander of the 58th Army and current lawmaker, made the audio message public. The 58th Army comprises multiple divisions and smaller units.

Popov, who rose through the ranks from a platoon commander to leading a sizable force, fostered a more approachable style of leadership. He encouraged soldiers to approach him directly with any issues, in contrast to the typical formal command structure of the Russian military. Military bloggers have praised him for his efforts to minimize unnecessary losses, distinguishing him from commanders who prioritize reporting successes over safeguarding their troops.

Notably, Andrei Turchak, the first deputy speaker of Russia’s upper house of parliament and head of the United Russia party, publicly supported Popov, stating that “the Motherland can be proud of such commanders.” This endorsement suggests that Popov’s criticisms of the top military brass resonate with many within Russian officialdom.

The news of Popov’s dismissal comes shortly after the death of another high-ranking officer, Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov, who was killed by a Ukrainian missile strike during the Ukrainian counteroffensive. The Defense Ministry has not officially reported Tsokov’s death.

Russian military bloggers claim that Popov’s remarks, which also included the need for troop rotations, provoked General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff, who promptly ordered Popov’s dismissal. Gerasimov, who was seen in a video released by the Defense Ministry on Monday, had not been seen in public since the failed rebellion by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The rebellion led by Prigozhin’s Wagner Group posed a significant threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin, briefly capturing the military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don before an agreement was reached to end the uprising. Despite Prigozhin’s claim that the rebellion aimed to oust Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu rather than challenge Putin directly, the incident undermined Putin’s authority.

Details surrounding the deal with Wagner remain unclear, and the fate of General Sergei Surovikin, deputy commander of the Russian forces fighting in Ukraine, is also uncertain. Surovikin reportedly faced questioning regarding his connections to Prigozhin.

As part of the Kremlin’s efforts to defuse the threat posed by the Wagner Group, the Defense Ministry announced that the mercenaries were handing over their weapons to the Russian military.

The dismissal of General Popov highlights the complexities and internal tensions within the Russian military as it continues to grapple with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Source: With Agencies