Ivan Popov, a former Russian army general, finds himself at the center of controversy after being implicated in a massive theft.
The allegations accuse him of stealing over 1,700 tons of rolled metal, valued at a staggering 105 million rubles, intended for use in defensive constructions in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Amidst the growing criminal case, Popov has requested to be assigned to the ongoing Special Military Operation (SMO) in an attempt to avoid legal consequences.
Popov’s Request to Suspend Criminal Case
In a surprising move, Popov has turned to the Tambov Garrison Military Court, seeking to suspend his criminal proceedings.
His lawyer, Sergey Buinovsky, explained that the request is based on a positive decision by the Russian Ministry of Defense to allow Popov to sign a contract to participate in the SMO.
According to Buinovsky, this decision essentially makes Popov’s case less urgent, as the Ministry has expressed its support for him.
Popov has expressed his gratitude toward President Vladimir Putin for his ongoing support, thanking him for the trust shown in him during this turbulent time.
The request to suspend the case was filed alongside the Ministry of Defense, noting that Popov’s participation in the SMO would alter the course of his criminal prosecution.
Popov’s Role in the Special Military Operation
It’s important to note that Popov’s role in the military operation isn’t that of a regular soldier.
Instead, he’s set to serve as a commander within one of the Storm Z units, which are made up of individuals either under investigation or convicted of crimes.
These units are unique because criminal prosecution against members is suspended while they serve, and in some cases, the charges can be completely dropped after they complete their duties.
Military volunteer Alexey Zhirov remarked that many members of the Russian military would be eager to join Popov in these units, citing that “half the Russian military would want to sign up in that unit with Popov.”
Theft Allegations and Criminal Charges
Popov’s troubles began in 2024 when he was detained under suspicion of being involved in a large-scale theft.
Investigators claim that Popov was responsible for taking more than 1,700 tons of rolled metal products, meant for building defensive structures in the Zaporizhzhia region.
The metal was allegedly moved from a military warehouse to another location by third parties, and Popov is accused of falsifying documents to make it appear as if the metal had been delivered to the army.
As a result, Popov faces charges under two serious criminal articles: official forgery (Part 2 of Article 292) and large-scale fraud (Part 4 of Article 159).
These charges could result in a lengthy prison sentence, with the fraud charge alone carrying a potential penalty of up to 10 years.
Popov’s Appeal to Putin for Assistance
In March 2025, Popov took the extraordinary step of writing an open letter to President Putin.
In his letter, he expressed confusion and frustration over the criminal charges, claiming that he didn’t understand the situation and considered the prosecution unjust.
He pleaded with the president to intervene and allow him to return to military service, stating that he found himself in a difficult life situation.
Popov, who served in the Russian armed forces for 32 years, was dismissed in late 2024 after a long career that included various leadership roles.
His time in the military included significant operations, but his tenure ended on a bitter note as he was removed from command in July 2023 following a chaotic retreat during the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
A Look Back at Popov’s Military Career
Ivan Popov’s military career has been marked by both notable achievements and controversies.
By 2022, he had already risen to the position of chief of staff of the 11th Army Corps in Kaliningrad Oblast.
However, it was his leadership in the Zaporizhzhia region during the Ukrainian counteroffensive that brought his name into the public spotlight.
Popov had claimed victory against Ukrainian attacks in June 2023, but shortly thereafter, he was removed from his post after requesting a rotation of units from the front lines.
Despite the challenges and setbacks in his career, Popov’s subsequent promotion to major general and his involvement in high-stakes operations have left a lasting impact.
However, his recent legal troubles have overshadowed his military accomplishments, leading many to wonder about the future of this once-promising leader.
Popov’s situation continues to unfold, with both the military and political spheres keenly observing the outcome.
Whether he will be able to navigate these challenges and return to active duty remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: his journey is far from over.