Popov

On Friday, Russian MP and TV presenter Yevgeny Popov told BBC Newsnight that the prospect of UK soldiers in Ukraine was "unacceptable" and warned that "British troops will be direct targets for our missiles, you will get coffins in return".

Workman told The Times that the case is similar to the battle over Barry Bonds’ 73rd home run ball in 2001, in which two fans — Alex Popov and Patrick Hayashi — claimed ownership of the historic ball.

Mr Ionov and two alleged FSB agents - Aleksey Borisovich Sukhodolov and Yegor Sergeyevich Popov - have also been indicted in the US in connection with the case but are not under arrest.

Gen. Ivan Popov, a top Russian commander who led forces holding off Ukraine’s counteroffensive, chided the Russian military leadership in a widely seen recording last year after he was removed from his post.

Gen. Ivan Popov, a career soldier and former top commander in Ukraine; and Lt.