The Russian military has confirmed a significant loss. Major General Mikhail Gudkov, the country’s Deputy Commander of the Navy, was killed while on duty. This makes him one of the highest-ranking officers to die in the ongoing conflict.
Just months before his death, Gudkov had received personal praise and a major promotion from President Vladimir Putin. In February, he was awarded a military honor at the Kremlin. The following month, March, he was appointed to his role as Deputy Commander of the Navy. Putin specifically highlighted Gudkov’s leadership of the 155th Marine Brigade, calling it one of Russia’s top elite units. He had tasked Gudkov with using his expertise to boost the combat readiness of new army units and help restructure the country’s marine forces.
Gudkov was killed on Wednesday, July 2nd. The Defense Ministry stated he died during fighting in a border area of Kursk Oblast, which touches Ukraine. Unofficial Russian and Ukrainian military Telegram channels reported he died alongside several other officers. They claimed a U.S.-made HIMARS missile struck a command post in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.
It remains unclear why 42-year-old General Gudkov was in Kursk at the time. Some Russian military bloggers suggested he was commanding naval forces in Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast. Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, has not yet commented on his death.
Before his recent promotion, Gudkov had a long history of combat. He led marine divisions in many parts of Ukraine, including areas around Kyiv. He also took part in the siege of the port city of Mariupol. After these battles, he was sent to fight in Kursk Oblast. Soldiers often spoke highly of him, calling him an effective commander. They also noted he was one of the few who dared to give his superiors a true picture of the situation on the ground.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, at least ten high-ranking Russian generals have been killed in attacks or assassinations.
Source: Reuters
