Russia Arrests Top Commander Who Slammed Putin's Military

A senior Russian commander who criticized the Russian military and its war effort in Ukraine has been arrested, Russian state media reported on Tuesday.

Major General Ivan Popov, who had headed up Russia's 58th Army, was "arrested on suspicion of fraud," Russian state news agency, Tass, reported, citing a law enforcement spokesperson.

In July 2023, Popov was removed from his command of Russian troops in Ukraine's annexed southern Zaporizhzhia region after he criticized the Russian Defense Ministry for failing to provide sufficient support for the country's troops.

Popov condemned what he called a "lack of counter-battery combat," too few resources to scout for artillery and the "mass deaths" of Russian soldiers.

In a recording published to social media by Russian MP and former military commander Andrei Gurulyov, Popov said he had been dismissed by then-Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, after raising his concerns to the Russian military command.

This is a breaking story and will be updated shortly.

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