Moscow court re‑arrests former Russian general on fraud charges

Major General Ivan Popov is a Russian military officer who served as the commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army, a unit fighting in Ukraine. His career in the Russian military has been turbulent and ended under controversial circumstances.

In July 2023, Popov was dismissed from his position as commander. The reason for his dismissal was his criticism of the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defence. The general openly pointed out significant issues the Russian army faced in Ukraine, including the lack of counter-battery systems and high soldier casualties.

After losing his position, Popov's fate took an even more dramatic turn. On 17 May 2024, he was arrested on charges of large-scale fraud. Details of the accusation indicate that Popov is suspected of stealing and selling metal structures to build fortifications for the 58th Army in Zaporizhzhia. According to the Investigative Committee, the metal was worth over 130 million roubles (approximately £1.23 million).

The Moscow military court decided that Popov would be held in pre-trial detention for at least two months. His lawyers have repeatedly appealed for his release but without success. In a rare occurrence for the Russian judiciary, authorities also requested Popov's release from house arrest, which the 235th Garrison Military Court initially denied.

On Monday, the court granted another investigator's request and ordered the general's detention. What prompted the court to change its stance and re-arrest Popov is unclear. It is possible that new evidence or political pressure influenced the decision.

General Popov's case is seen as part of broader purges in the Russian army. His story illustrates the tensions and internal problems within the Russian armed forces, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine.