Leonid Ivashev: A commander like General Popov should not be abandoned.

In the military, he is called "Papa," which is a great honor.

Author: Irina Mishina

Photo: Ivan Popov, former commander of the 58th Army and Major General, in the courtroom of the Second Western Military District.

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Leonid Ivashev

The case of former 58th Army Commander Ivan Popov has caused a great stir in society, not only within military circles. Let us review: Ivan Popov was stripped of his rank of Major General and sentenced to five years in prison by the Tambov Garrison Military Court for fraud and official crimes.

Stripping such a high-ranking military commander of his rank is an unprecedented event. Does this mean that the requirements for commanders are becoming stricter? Will the court's decision affect the morale of the troops under the command of Ivan Popov, who enjoys great prestige in the military? Retired Major General and Doctor of Historical Sciences Leonid Ivashev answered these questions in the "SP TV" program "Opinions."

"SP TV": You maintain close contact with people directly involved in the special military operations zone. Does former 58th Army Commander Ivan Popov indeed enjoy high prestige?

— I have never heard any criticism from mid-level officers or generals about Ivan Ivanovich Popov. On the contrary, everyone emphasizes that he expresses the opinions of many commanders. I have also not seen any criticism of him from soldiers and officers of the 58th Army on the Internet or social media. The nickname "Papa" and "Spartacus" is not without reason. "Papa" is the highest praise for a commander. He is not just a commander — to the soldiers and officers, he is an older comrade, almost like a father. Personally, I hold him in very high regard.

"SP TV": Some sources claim that Ivan Popov wrote a letter to the president while in pre-trial detention, requesting to restore his position in the military and to be sent to the special military operation area as a contract soldier. The defense team of the general claimed that an agreement had been reached with the Ministry of Defense to appoint Popov as the commander of the "Storm Z" assault force. However, later it was reported that there were no such vacancies, but rather a spot in prison...

— I strongly oppose Popov going to command an assault force because, in that situation, the possibility of his sacrifice would be quite high. At least in prison, he can stay alive.

In addition, his sentence may be reduced, he might be released under the Amnesty Law, or the president may decide to grant clemency. Such a person should not be abandoned.

There are not many commanders in the military with such a high level of competence and moral principles as he possesses. And the military personnel are one of Russia's most precious assets, especially at this time.

I am not sure if the president received relevant reports. Or perhaps he received other types of reports, leading to his failure to support the request of the former commander of the 58th Army. Although the issue of stripping the general of his rank should be handled by the president.

"SP TV": How were issues like this resolved during the Soviet era?

— Back then, cases of this level were handled by the Military Collegium of the USSR Supreme Court. "General Cases" were tried there, with in-depth investigations conducted instead of wide public exposure.

In fact, Ivan Popov was punished twice. Not only was he sentenced to five years in prison, but he was also stripped of his rank. This completely changed his fate.

"SP TV": I would like to remind you that according to the investigation results, Ivan Popov was accused of stealing over 1,700 tons of metal products worth more than 105 million rubles. It is also said that he received approximately 1 million rubles and a Chinese car for his "services." We know that soldiers, especially commanders, in the special operation areas earn quite high salaries; Ivan Popov could have earned these amounts through legitimate means...

— In my opinion, the reason for taking such an attitude toward Popov is not due to corruption factors. I know about the income situation of contract officers in special military operations. From what I understand, the commander of an army corps can earn between 400,000 to 500,000 rubles per month. As the commander of the army corps, Ivan Popov could have accumulated a large amount of money relatively quickly.

From the descriptions of his colleagues, Ivan Ivanovich Popov lived a very simple life. Look at his financial situation: there is nothing luxurious about it. Moreover, there is a saying that the metal structures he allegedly stole were actually used for building defensive fortifications according to the investigation.

"SP TV": Some say that the former commander of the 58th Army showed excessive initiative and was not afraid to express his opinions. However, the military follows the principle of unified command and strict obedience to superior orders. Did General Popov violate any regulations in this regard?

— I cannot give a definitive answer. The education we Soviet officers received was: during the decision-making process, we could express our opinions. But once a decision was made and combat orders were issued, discussions were no longer allowed. This is an iron rule.

It is said that Ivan Popov discussed orders within his unit and expressed his opinions on social media. From this perspective, he can be questioned. However, he tried to convey his opinions to the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, but they were not heard.

By the way, Ivan Popov's "accomplice," Major General Oleg Zolkov, became a Russian hero posthumously. Unfortunately, he died in battle.

"SP TV": Is there room for initiative in the military? Or will initiative be punished?

— To answer this question, one can look at and compare two movies: "The Living and the Dead," adapted from Simonov's works, and "Only the Veterans Fight." In "The Living and the Dead," Anatoly Papunov plays a general who was once in a prisoner-of-war camp. Like Ivan Popov, he faces a dilemma: whether to save his soldiers by leading them out of the encircled danger zone or to execute the superior's orders.

We know that in 1941, Stalin asked General Shaposhnikov during their conversation, "Tell me, why do our commanders fail?" Shaposhnikov said that the commanders were under constant pressure — from superior commands, political commissars, and the "Smersh" (Soviet counterintelligence agency).

Afterwards, Stalin gave the commanders more freedom and initiative, and this immediately affected the situation in the army and the front lines. The image of the commander portrayed in the movie "Only the Veterans Fight" is completely different — proactive and thoughtful. Without initiative in the military and in battle, we risk losing everything.

"SP TV": What is your prediction regarding the duration of the special military action? Will it end this year, or will it drag on?

— People are now talking about a ceasefire, but I do not believe that the special operation will end here. The current leadership of Ukraine has interests in continuing military actions. A temporary ceasefire does not mean comprehensive peace.

Original Article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7499759237334123049/

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