Major General Mikhail Gudkov, deputy commander of the Russian Navy, was killed Wednesday in the Kursk region during combat near the Ukrainian border.
In a Telegram post on Thursday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said Gudkov died “during combat operations in one of the border districts of the Kursk region” on Wednesday but did not specify the circumstances.
Gudkov is a Hero of the Russian Federation and a former commander of the renowned Primorye-based 155th Naval Infantry Brigade.
Primorye governor Oleg Kozhemyako, confirmed his death. “He was a strong-willed warrior who could not imagine himself anywhere but the Navy. Even after becoming Deputy Commander of the Navy, he continued to personally visit the positions of our marines,” Kozhemyako said.
According to Russian media, Gudkov was killed when enemy forces launched multiple missiles targeting a marine field headquarters. At least four missiles reportedly struck the field command post where he was stationed.
A social media post from a Russian servicemen’s organization claimed that more than 10 others were killed in the same strike, including the brigade’s newly appointed commander.
Ukraine has not yet commented on the report.
Gudkov’s death comes amid renewed Russian offensives and ongoing missile strikes. On Thursday, a Russian attack killed two civilians in Odesa, while Moscow claimed new territorial gains in eastern Ukraine.
