The Kremlin Sentenced a Popular Russian General to Lead a Penal Assault Detachment in Ukraine
By Kateryna Stepanenko
April 11, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned former 58th Combined Arms Army [CAA] Commander Major General Ivan Popov to command a penal assault detachment in Ukraine — a demotion and effectively a death sentence — after Popov publicly appealed to Putin for his reinstatement to active military duty. Popov’s lawyer, Sergey Buynovsky, announced on April 9 that Popov, who has been under arrest since May 2024, signed a military service contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and will return to military service in Ukraine in exchange for the suspension of his impending criminal trial.[1] A Russian security official later revealed to Russian state business outlet Kommersant on April 9 that Popov will assume command of an unspecified “Storm Z” penal detachment operating in Ukraine.[2] Such an assignment is effectively a death sentence because the Russian military command primarily uses “Storm Z” penal detachments in suicidal frontal assaults. Popov's assignment to command such a unit after having commanded a field army is a punishment and a severe demotion rather than a return to his military career.[3] The Kremlin ”reinstated” Popov after he published an open letter to Putin on March 20, 2025, accusing the Russian military court of subjecting him to “unfounded prosecution” and unwarranted dismissal from the Russian Armed Forces.[4] Popov appealed to Putin as his “most important commander” to “sort out the situation” and reinstate him in active military service, claiming that he is a “faithful soldier” for whom “the army is the whole meaning of life.” Popov also pledged loyalty to the Russian military and claimed that Putin is his “moral guide and role model.” Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on March 21, 2025, that Putin had been notified of the letter at the time, and Russian state media outlets later framed Popov’s reported return to the frontlines as Putin’s response to the appeal.[5] Peskov refused to comment on Popov's intent to return to the battlefield as of April 10.[6]
The Kremlin relieved Popov of command of the 58th CAA in July 2023 because of his perceived disloyalty and criticisms of the Russian military high command — especially in the aftermath of...
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