A Russian general claims that he was removed from his position as a commander after bringing attention to the dire situation in Ukraine. He accuses the top military brass of betraying Russian soldiers and causing their deaths. President Vladimir Putin has chosen to retain the Defense Minister and Chief of the General Staff despite the recent mutiny by Wagner mercenaries, which posed a significant challenge to the Russian state. Major General Ivan Popov, also known as “Spartacus,” revealed in a voice message that he was dismissed after speaking the truth about the situation on the front lines to the military leadership. He highlighted the deaths of Russian soldiers caused by Ukrainian artillery and the lack of adequate counter artillery systems and enemy artillery reconnaissance. There has been no response from the defense ministry, and the authenticity of the voice message has not been independently verified. Popov’s whereabouts are unknown, and the defense ministry has made no comments regarding his dismissal. This public criticism from a seasoned general suggests ongoing discontent within the Russian army in the midst of Europe’s largest land war since World War II. President Putin has expressed concern that the mutiny could lead to civil war and likened it to the revolutionary turmoil of 1917. While the Kremlin has maintained a calm facade, the full consequences of the mutiny are yet to unfold. There has been no public appearance from Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin or General Sergei Surovikin since the mutiny. Prigozhin has consistently insulted Putin’s senior military officials without any response from the President, Defense Minister, or Chief of the General Staff. Popov faced a difficult decision when he decided to speak the truth, stating that it was a pivotal moment where he had to choose between cowardice or honesty. In 2017, Popov was featured in Russia’s official armed forces newspaper, highlighting his previous service in Chechnya and Georgia. Reports suggest that he raised the issue of rotating exhausted troops with Gerasimov, but this cannot be confirmed. Russian state television channels have not reported Popov’s remarks, but they were covered by Kommersant, a respected Russian newspaper. Opinions on Russian war bloggers about Popov’s remarks vary. Some see it as defiance, while others view it as a disagreement with the top brass. Popov’s future is uncertain, and he believes that the quick decision to remove him demonstrates that the senior chiefs felt threatened by him.
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