A former Russian army commander who raised concerns about the country’s high military casualties in Ukraine has been detained on suspicion of large-scale fraud.
Major General Ivan Popov, 49, will be held in custody for two months, Russian state media reported.
His lawyer was quoted by Tass news agency as saying the general denied all allegations.
Gen. Popov was fired as commander of the 58th Army last year after publicly alleging mass deaths and injuries among Russian soldiers and a lack of artillery support.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not comment on the matter.
Russian president Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion against Ukraine in February 2022.
On Tuesday, Russian news agencies Tass and Ria Novosti cited sources who said that Gen. Popov was suspected of large-scale fraud and that his case would be handled by the military court of the 235th garrison.
They added that his detention was a “preventive measure” following a decision by the Moscow-based court on 17 May.
The agencies did not provide further details.
Gen Popov was fired in July 2023 after publicly complaining about Russian military problems in Ukraine.
In a widely shared voicemail, he said: “It was necessary to remain silent and be a coward or say things the way they are.”
“I had no right to lie in your name, in the name of my fallen comrades-in-arms, so I described all the problems that exist.”
Among the issues Gen. Popov said he highlighted to his superiors was the lack of adequate counter-battery systems to help repel Ukrainian artillery attacks, as well as the lack of military intelligence.
The commander said his dismissal was demanded by senior commanders – who he accused of treason – and approved by then-Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu.
Shoigu, a longtime ally of President Vladimir Putin, was replaced earlier this month by Andrei Belousov – an economist with little military experience.
Analysts say the move reflects the Kremlin’s changing priorities and the huge amounts of money that Russian authorities are now investing in the war in Ukraine – and Russia’s need to increase the efficiency of the armed forces, widely seen as plagued by corruption. .
In recent months, rumors have emerged that Mr. Shoigu’s position was weakening. His appointment as secretary of Russia’s Security Council is seen by some Russia watchers as a demotion.
In April, one of Shoigu’s deputies – Timur Ivanov – was arrested on corruption charges.
Last week, General Yuriy Kuznetsov, a senior Defense Ministry official, was arrested in a bribery investigation.
The latest reports suggest that Belousov is forming his own team at the Ministry of Defense, getting rid of Shoigu’s cadres.
In other developments on Tuesday:
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Russia said it has begun its tactical nuclear weapons exercise, involving Iskander and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
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Analysts say the exercise is intended to serve as a warning signal from Moscow to Ukraine’s Western allies who supply Kiev with advanced weaponry.
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Ukraine’s military said fierce fighting continued in the northeast and eastern regions of the country, where Russian troops have been on the offensive.
