Russian General Dismissed After Exposing Failings in Ukraine Conflict
MOSCOW, July 13 – Major General Ivan Popov, former commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army, has claimed that he was dismissed from his position after revealing the dire situation at the front in Ukraine. In a voice message published by Russian lawmaker Andrei Gurulyov, Popov accused the top military brass of betraying Russian soldiers and leaving them vulnerable to attacks.
Popov stated that while the Ukrainian army was unable to break through their ranks at the front, the senior leadership of the Russian military had undermined their efforts, resulting in the deaths of Russian soldiers. He specifically highlighted the lack of proper counter artillery systems and reconnaissance of enemy artillery as contributing factors to the soldiers’ deaths.
The Russian defence ministry has remained silent on Popov’s dismissal, and Reuters has been unable to independently verify the authenticity of the voice message. However, the public criticism from a highly experienced general, less than three weeks after the Wagner mutiny, indicates the level of discontent within the Russian army as it engages in the largest land war in Europe since World War Two.
The Wagner mutiny, which occurred on June 24, posed a significant domestic challenge to the Russian state. Despite this, President Vladimir Putin has chosen to retain Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov in their positions.
The Kremlin has attempted to project a sense of calm, but Russian officials and diplomats have informed Reuters that the full implications of the mutiny have yet to unfold. Neither Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin nor General Sergei Surovikin, a deputy commander of Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, have been seen in public since the mutiny.
Popov, who had previously distanced himself from the military leadership, felt compelled to speak out about the truth. He described a difficult situation with the senior bosses, where he had to choose between remaining silent or speaking up. Popov emphasized that he could not lie in the name of his fallen comrades and outlined the existing problems.
According to a Telegram channel linked to Wagner mercenaries, Popov had raised the need to rotate exhausted troops from the front line with Gerasimov. However, Reuters has been unable to verify this report.
Popov believes that the senior chiefs sensed a threat from him and quickly orchestrated his dismissal. He expressed uncertainty about his future and awaits his fate.
The dismissal of a high-ranking general and the revelations of the dire situation at the front highlight the challenges faced by the Russian army in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. President Putin’s decision to retain key military figures suggests that he is aware of the discontent within the ranks but is yet to take decisive action.
Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Andrew Osborn
How has Major General Ivan Popov’s dismissal and allegations of serious problems at the front impacted the perception of the Russian military’s performance in the conflict in Ukraine?
Moscow, July 13 – Major General Ivan Popov, previously in charge of the 58th Combined Arms Army, alleges that he was removed from his position after exposing serious problems at the front in Ukraine. In an audio message shared by Russian lawmaker Andrei Gurulyov, Popov accuses the top military authorities of endangering Russian soldiers and leaving them open to attacks.
According to Popov, although the Ukrainian army failed to penetrate their ranks at the front, the senior leaders of the Russian military hindered their own troops’ efforts, resulting in the deaths of Russian soldiers. He specifically pointed out the lack of adequate counter artillery systems and reconnaissance of enemy artillery as contributing factors to these fatalities.
The Russian defence ministry has refrained from commenting on Popov’s dismissal. Reuters has been unable to independently verify the authenticity of the audio message. Nevertheless, the criticism from a highly experienced general, less than three weeks after the Wagner Group mercenaries’ sentencing, puts the spotlight back on the failings of the Russian military in the conflict in Ukraine.
This article sheds light on the unfortunate consequences faced by those who dare to expose the truth. The dismissal of the Russian general highlights the extent of the failings at the frontline in Ukraine and emphasizes the desperate need for transparency and accountability in such conflicts.