“Practically a death sentence.” The generally dismissed general after criticizing Gherasimov returns to the front of Ukraine, at the command of a “Storm Z” battalion

One of Russia's most vocal generals, Ivan Popov, will return to the front of Ukraine, almost two years after its dismissal following criticisms addressed to the army leadership. The information was confirmed by his lawyer, notes CNN. According to the Russian state press, Popov will not return to the command of the 58th army of combined weapons, which he previously led in southern Ukraine, but will take over a battalion consisting of former prisoners, who suffered huge losses in Ukraine.

Popov was dismissed in July 2023, after sending to his colleagues an audio message accusing the lack of artillery support and directly criticized the chief of the General Staff of the Russian Army, General Valeri Gherasimov.

“Ukraine's armed forces failed to pierce our front army, (but) our higher commander hit us from behind, treacherous and lower, beheading the army in the hardest and most tense moment,” said Popov, in the message sent in July 2023.

Popov also said that when he complained about the lack of artillery support and other problems, “the higher commanders felt a danger to me and, quickly, in one day, ticked an order to the Minister of Defense, eliminated me from the system and got rid of me.”

Kateryna Stepanenko, at the Institute for War War (ISW) Institute in Washington, states that the dismissal of Popov “has aroused the indignation of Russian ultra -nationalists, officers and veterans, who have accused the Russian Ministry of Defense of removing Popov to hide the issues in the army.”

At that time, the military leadership was particularly sensitive to criticism – less than a month had passed since the leader of the Wagner mercenary group leader, Evgheni Prigojin.

However, Popov's situation was to get worse. Initially, he was sent to Syria as deputy of the Russian contingent, but in May last year he was arrested for alleged fraud, an accusation he constantly denied.

The prosecutors called for a six -year prison sentence, and Popov was excluded from the army. However, his supporters continued to defend his defense.

Stepanenko believes that the Kremlin “has not succeeded, for the most part, to convince the Russian ultra-nationalists, officers and veterans of Popov's involvement in the alleged fundraising, which led to persistent critical reactions.”

Popov wrote an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, published by the state press at the end of March, in which he asked to be allowed to return to the battlefield. Described Putin as “his moral guide and personal model” whose example “finally understands what the legendary words mean:” clear mind, warm heart and clean hands “.

Popov's wish has been fulfilled, to a certain extent

Last week, his lawyer said, quoted by Tass that the Ministry of Defense and Defense agreed to suspend the criminal investigation, in exchange for the sending of Popov in the “Special Military Operation” – the official term used by Moscow to designate the invasion to Ukraine.

It has not yet been confirmed whether the military court approved the agreement, but Popov's supporters among Russian military bloggers enjoyed news.

“The legendary general on the battlefield returned to the front!”, Wrote Vladimir Rogov, a popular blogger.

But the news came with a trap. Popov will not return to his soul unity, the 58th Army of Russia.

According to Kommersant daily, Popov would order one of the “Storm Z” units, composed of former prisoners. These units were involved in the offensive on the city of Bahmut and registered significant losses, often being sent in front attacks considered suicide. Some investigations estimate the survival rate in these units at only 40%.

Kateryna Stepanenko, an analyst from the ISW, states that the appointment of Popov to the management of the respective unit is “practically a death sentence”, given the use of these battalions in the first lines of the front.

Kremlin continues to support the use of prisoners in battle

Putin recently promised that the members of the “Storm Z” units will receive a veteran status.

“We will definitely solve this. I see no problem here,” Putin said at a meeting last month. “I have excellent relationships, I will reach an agreement with both the government and the deputies,” added the Kremlin leader.

While the Russian army seeks to supplement the number of experienced officers on the Ukraine front, it is increasingly oriented to those who have fallen into disgrace.

“Putin seems to have set up a new redemption system, in which compromised officials and commanders have the chance to regain their leader's favor, provided they publicly recognize their guilt and then volunteer to fight in Ukraine,” says Stepanenko.

Popov, which was previously associated with a special Storm Z unit called “storm gladiator”, made up of former prisoners with military training, already knows the specifics of these battalions. The unit would have been trained by former members of the Wagner mercenari group and the Chechen special forces “Ahmat”.

If he is actually returning to the front, Popov will order such a unit – and he will have to use his whole experience to keep his people and himself alive, notes CNN.

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