Major General's Candid Voice Message Exposes Critical Issues in Russian Military Operations in Ukraine
A high-ranking Russian military officer, Major General Ivan Popov, claims to have been removed from his position in Ukraine for speaking honestly about the dire situation on the front line. Maj Gen Popov served as the commander of the 58th Army, which has been engaged in combat in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.
In a voice message, Maj Gen Popov revealed that he had raised concerns about the high casualty rate and the lack of artillery support. He believed that it was his duty to be truthful rather than remain silent and cowardly. He stated, "I had no right to lie in the name of you, in the name of my fallen comrades in arms, so I outlined all the problems which exist."
Russian MP Andrei Gurulyov, a former military commander and frequent commentator on state TV, shared the voice message on Telegram. However, it is unclear when the message was recorded.
Maj Gen Popov pointed out several issues to his superiors, including the absence of proper counter battery systems to defend against Ukrainian artillery attacks and a lack of military intelligence. He claimed that his dismissal was demanded by senior commanders, whom he accused of treason, and approved by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Russian military bloggers, known for providing insightful information in the absence of official statements, reported that the order to dismiss Maj Gen Popov came from the head of Russia's armed forces, General Valery Gerasimov. They claimed that Gen Gerasimov accused Maj Gen Popov of "alarmism and blackmailing senior management" when he emphasized the need to rotate soldiers who had been on the front line for an extended period and had suffered significant losses.
Maj Gen Popov expressed his belief that his superiors sensed danger from him and swiftly orchestrated his dismissal. He stated, "The Ukrainian army could not break through our ranks at the front, but our senior chief hit us from the rear, viciously beheading the army at the most difficult and intense moment."
The Russian Defense Ministry has not yet commented on the dismissal. However, a senior official from the pro-government United Russia party criticized MP Andrei Gurulyov for turning Maj Gen Popov's remarks into a "political show." The official emphasized that the general's statement was not intended for public consumption but was shared within closed chats among commanders and troops of the 58th Army.
Zaporizhzhia and the eastern Donetsk region have become the primary focus of Ukraine's counteroffensive, which began over a month ago but has encountered difficulties in breaching well-established Russian defensive lines.
On another note, a Russian MP revealed that former Russian commander Gen Sergei Surovikin, who has not been seen in public since the Wagner mutiny, was "resting." Gen Surovikin was believed to have close ties with former Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, and there were media reports suggesting his arrest following the brief revolt. However, there has been no official confirmation or comment regarding his whereabouts.
Furthermore, it has been reported, though not officially confirmed by Russia's defense ministry, that another senior Russian general, Lt Gen Oleg Tsokov, was killed in a strike in Ukraine's occupied south coast this week.
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