Russian general’s dismissal reveals new crack in military leadership

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Russian general’s dismissal reveals new crack in military leadership
By The Associated Press
Jul 13, 02:26 PM
In this photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Tanks belonging to Russia's Wagner military contractor are parked ahead of their handover to the Russian military at an undisclosed location.
In this photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Tanks belonging to Russia's Wagner military contractor are parked ahead of their handover to the Russian military at an undisclosed location. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

MOSCOW — A Russian general in charge of forces fighting in southern Ukraine has been relieved of his duties after speaking out about problems faced by his troops, a move that reflected new fissures in the military command following a brief rebellion by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, the commander of the 58th army in the Zaporizhzhia region, which is a focal point in Ukraine’s counteroffensive, said in an audio statement to his troops released Wednesday night that he was dismissed after a meeting with the military brass in what he described as a “treacherous” stab in the back to Russian forces in Ukraine.

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