Popov graduated from the Combined Arms Academy and was posted to the operational directorate of the North Caucasus Military District headquarters, taking part in the Russo-Georgian War.

Graduating from the Military Academy of the General Staff in 2015, he was appointed commander of the 33rd Separate Motor Rifle Brigade (Mountain) in Adygea in December of that year.

[9] He commanded the Russian forces in the Balakliia area by June, conducting a chaotic retreat during the Ukrainian Kharkiv counteroffensive in September.

[10] Despite the Russian defeat, Popov was promoted to major general and commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army, responsible for the Zaporizhzhia sector, by March 2023.

[13] Popov declared that Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov dismissed him over his concerns for troops fighting without rest and criticism of Russian battlefield strategy.