The trick of the Russian general is an earthquake for Vladimir Putin

Major General Ivan Popov complained to the Kremlin about the lack of counter-battery fire and artillery reconnaissance Photo: Nac.gov.ru

Publicly accuse a superior an officer's incompetence and betrayal in peacetime would be serious enough.

In the midst of a desperate war, and two weeks after yet another mutiny that nearly brought down the Kremlin, Major General Ivan Popov's voicemail is nothing short of an earthquake .

The voice message does not contain the hysteria of Yevgeny Prigozhin ranting on Telegram.

Major General Popov speaks directly, essentially, in the manner of a combat officer.

He addresses his people directly, his “dear gladiators” (Major General Popov's own call sign is “Spartak”, so this is a reference to a classic story) on whose loyalty he believes he can rely.

Russia's war effort has been accompanied by complaints against superiors from the very beginning of the war.

Many of the frustrations of lower and middle officers and enlisted men were published in semi-official military blogs.

Major General Popov (left) blamed senior officer of the Russian army that he stabbed the army in the back. Photo: Nac.gov.ru

Later, Prigozhin, the disgraced leader of the Wagner mercenaries, acted as a valve for anger over the lack of ammunition. poor logistics and general incompetence.

This is the first time a senior officer has made such complaints publicly.

Major General Popov was particularly grumbling about the lack of counter-battery fire and artillery reconnaissance.

There is nothing new in this war. In fact, on the Ukrainian side you can find many soldiers with similar complaints.

But Major General Popov goes further: he directly accused the top army officer – Valery Gerasimov, although he does not use his name – to strike the army in the back.

Worse, because the commander of Russia's 58th Army is trusted.

He and his men have successfully – and contrary to the expectations of even many Russian commentators – held out against the fury of Ukraine's counteroffensive.

Moreover, they refused to join Prigozhin's rebellion last month, remaining in their positions.

On Tuesday of this week, Ukrainians fired a British Stormshadow missile at a hotel in occupied Berdyansk, turning it into ruins.

The hotel was the command post of the 58th Army. It is reported that Major General Popov managed to escape – he was not there when the missile hit the target.