Russian general ousted after criticizing military top brass to return to battle – in charge of notorious unit of ex-convicts

Major General Ivan Popov was a celebrated commander in the Russian army – until he criticized the leadership and was dismissed. Popov personally appealed to Vladimir Putin to be allowed to return to the battlefield, which has now been granted – as commander of one of the prisoner battalions used for suicide attacks, writes CNN. – It is effectively a death sentence, says Kateryna Stepanenko at the ISW think tank.

Ivan Popov will return to the front line two years after being removed for a mission that could, for the Institute for the Study of War, mean a “death sentence”.

A Russian general dismissed from the army and awaiting trial was reinstated at the head of one of the terrible Storm Z suicide units.

Ivan Popov, arrested after criticizing the military planning of the special military operation, asked to return to fight and command 'Storm Z', known for using men as cannon fodder, instead of prison

Russia’s 'mutinous' General Popov to head notorious unit of ex-convicts after criticising defence ministry

Once hailed as a decorated commander of Russia’s 58th Combined Arms Army in Ukraine, Popov now finds himself reportedly tasked with leading a Russian military battalion made up of former convicts, notorious for its heavy casualties and suicide-style assaults

Russian general who criticized leadership may soon lead battalion of ex-cons: lawyer

Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov may soon return to the front lines in Ukraine after receiving a deadly military assignment in exchange for suspending his criminal trial.