The Military Court of the Second Western District did not ease the restrictive measure against the former commander of the 58th Army, Major General Ivan Popov, and left him in a pre-trial detention center. This development was reported by TASS and reflects the ongoing seriousness of the allegations surrounding Popov’s conduct.
The judge noted, “It is in the defendant’s interest to reject the objection.”
The case accuses Popov of allegedly committing fraud on a particularly large scale through an organized group using his official position. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of the charges and the need for a precautionary measure that prevents any potential interference with the investigation or risk to public safety.
On May 27, the 235th Garrison Military Court is scheduled to review the Investigative Committee’s petition seeking a modification of Popov’s preventive measure. The upcoming session will determine whether a different level of supervision or a change in the current restraint is warranted while the investigation continues.
It became known on May 21 that Popov was arrested. Authorities allege that more than 1,700 tons of rolled metal products, designated for fortifications in the Zaporozhye direction, were stolen. Popov’s case marks the third high-profile military-related investigation in the past month, following separate charges and detentions involving other senior officials in the defense sector.
Earlier, the court also ordered the detention of former Deputy Minister of Defense Timur Ivanov and Yuri Kuznetsov, who headed the Main Personnel Directorate of the Ministry of Defense. Both are suspected of taking bribes, adding to a broader trend of ongoing anti-corruption investigations within the ministry and its affiliates.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian defense ministry is actively pursuing corruption cases and strengthening oversight across the armed forces. His remarks come as part of a broader effort to present a cohesive message about governance and accountability within state security structures.
Previously, in the purges within the Ministry of Defense, observers noted traces that pointed toward the wider implications of leadership changes and internal reforms within Russia’s defense apparatus, including reference to the broader context surrounding recent personnel actions and investigations.