Moscow, Russia – A former commander of Russia’s 58th Army, Major General Ivan Popov, has been arrested on suspicion of large-scale fraud, as reported by the TASS news agency on Tuesday. Popov, who had previously criticized the treatment of military personnel on the battlefield in Ukraine, was detained for two months by the country’s military court, pending further investigation.

Last year, Popov was dismissed after a leaked audio message revealed his concerns about the inadequacies in Russia’s defenses, resulting in casualties among troops in Ukraine. The arrest of Popov marks a significant development in the ongoing tension within the Russian military command, following a brief uprising by mercenary chief Yevgney Prigozhin.

The European Union has formally adopted a plan to utilize frozen assets of the Russian central bank for Ukraine’s defense. The agreement stipulates that 90% of the proceeds will be allocated to an EU-managed fund for military assistance, with the remaining 10% designated for other forms of support to Kyiv.

In response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plea for increased Western aid, the Kremlin attributed the request to Ukraine’s challenging situation on the battlefield. The ongoing conflict has led to heightened tensions, with Zelenskyy seeking Western assistance in intercepting Russian missiles and utilizing Western weaponry against Russian forces.

Meanwhile, Finland has urged the European Union to address “weaponized” migration at its border with Russia, citing deliberate attempts by Moscow to destabilize the region. The Finnish government has proposed a new border security law to prevent the entry of migrants viewed as instruments of influence from Russia.

In another development, Poland has apprehended nine individuals suspected of carrying out acts of sabotage on behalf of Russian intelligence services. Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighted the country’s role as a key supply hub for Ukraine, making it a prime target for Russian espionage efforts aimed at undermining Poland’s security.

Russia’s ongoing military engagement in Ukraine has resulted in a labor shortage in the country, with various sectors struggling to recruit workers. The shortage has been compounded by restrictions on migrant employment following a terrorist incident in Moscow, prompting considerations for amendments to the Russian labor code.