A Russian general, Ivan Popov, who previously criticized the Defense Ministry, may soon return to the Ukraine war front, according to a CNN report.

Popov, formerly in command, was removed from his position, accused of fraud, and detained after publicly criticizing Russian military leaders in 2023. His lawyer and the Defense Ministry have requested he be placed in charge of a penal military unit comprised of former prisoners, which have suffered heavy losses in Ukraine.

According to Russian media, Popov’s lawyer, Sergei Buinovsky, stated that there is a motion to suspend Popov’s case, with the intention of sending him to Ukraine.

In March, Popov sent an open letter to President Vladimir Putin, requesting reinstatement to military service to halt his criminal trial.

Rebekah Koffler, a former defense intelligence officer and author, suggests Putin might intervene to ensure Popov’s deployment to Ukraine.

Koffler told Digital on Tuesday that Putin often gets involved in high-profile cases, especially those involving Western media.

She added that Putin’s unpredictability means he could either allow the trial to proceed, leading to imprisonment, or send Popov to Ukraine, turning it into a propaganda opportunity given Popov’s request.

Assignment to a penal unit is considered highly dangerous, as Russia has frequently used these units, made up of ex-convicts, for extremely risky missions in the resulting in significant casualties.

In his letter to Putin, Popov claimed he was unjustly prosecuted and wished to continue fighting the enemy, as he swore to do.

Popov’s lawyer, Sergei Buinovskiy, told Russian media that Popov “was grateful for the trust the president has placed in him.”

As commander of the 58th Army, Popov led nearly 50,000 soldiers. The unit he may soon command is likely much smaller, numbering in the hundreds.

While leading the 58th Army, Popov gained favor with soldiers by successfully defending against a Ukrainian counter-offensive that used tanks supplied by . He subsequently criticized top Russian commanders for enabling Ukraine’s initial advance.

Popov accused Russian military chief-of-staff Valery Gerasimov of striking from the rear, “treacherously and vilely decapitating the army at the most difficult and tense moment,” after Ukrainian forces broke through.

Following his removal, Popov was reassigned to Syria before being charged with fraud. He denied any wrongdoing and maintained support from allies in Moscow who shared his criticisms of the Russian military leadership.

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