Moscow, July 3, 2025 (Agencies) — Major General Mikhail Gudkov, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, was killed in a Ukrainian missile strike on a forward command post in Russia’s Kursk Region, near the border with Ukraine. The strike, which reportedly occurred near the town of Korenevo, also claimed the lives of several other senior officers.

Gudkov, 42, was appointed to his post in March 2025 by President Vladimir Putin. He previously commanded the 155th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, a unit linked to alleged war crimes in Bucha and other Ukrainian towns during the early stages of the war. Despite the brigade’s controversial record and repeated battlefield setbacks, Gudkov’s career advanced rapidly, reflecting what some analysts describe as the Kremlin’s emphasis on loyalty over performance.

The missile strike is believed to have involved U.S.-supplied HIMARS rockets, though this remains unconfirmed. The targeted command post was located roughly 30 kilometers from the Ukrainian border in a region that has seen frequent cross-border attacks since Ukraine’s surprise offensive in August 2024. Gudkov was reportedly still visiting frontline marine units despite his senior naval post, a move praised by Russian officials but criticized by some observers as exposing high-value targets.

Governor Oleg Kozhemyako of Primorye, where Gudkov was previously based, confirmed the death and described him as a “strong-spirited fighter” who remained committed to his troops even after promotion. A memorial portrait has been erected in Vladivostok, where mourners have laid flowers in his honor.

Gudkov’s death is among the most high-profile Russian military losses since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. It has reignited debate over the Kremlin’s military leadership and the cost of its ongoing war. Ukraine has not officially commented on the strike

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