A Russian military tribunal has sentenced former Major General Ivan Popov to five years in prison for fraud and denied his appeal to return to combat in Ukraine.

Popov, who led the 58th Combined Arms Army of Russia, was taken into custody in May 2024 for allegedly embezzling $1.5 million worth of metal that was meant for bolstering defense installations in Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine.

His arrest drew criticism from pro-war commentators, who accused high-ranking military officials of marginalizing a respected commander.

The Tambov Garrison Military Court convicted Popov of extensive organized fraud and forgery. In addition to his prison sentence, he was stripped of his military rank and fined 800,000 rubles (approximately $9,600).

Popov has consistently denied the allegations against him. Last month, he personally appealed to President Vladimir Putin, requesting to be reinstated in his position in Ukraine.

Co-defendant Sergei Moiseyev, a businessman, received a four-year prison sentence and was fined 400,000 rubles (around $4,800). Proceedings against another defendant, former Deputy Commander of the Southern Military District Oleg Tsokov, were halted due to his passing.

Prosecutors had sought a six-year sentence for Popov. His attorney, Sergei Buinovsky, informed Interfax that the court rejected the general’s request to return to active duty. Under laws enacted following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Popov could have avoided criminal charges by signing a military contract.

Popov gained public attention in 2023 when he publicly accused then-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of dismissing him after he raised issues regarding military leadership and operational inefficiencies. Shoigu was ultimately replaced after Putin’s re-election last year.