Major General Mikhail Gudkov, the deputy commander of Russia’s navy, was killed in a Ukrainian missile strike this week — making him one of the highest-ranking Russian officers eliminated since the war began in 2022.
The strike reportedly hit a Russian command post in Korenevo, located in the Kursk region, which borders northeastern Ukraine.
Ten other Russian servicemen were also killed in the attack, according to multiple military Telegram channels on both sides.
Kursk Governor Oleg Kozhemyako confirmed Gudkov’s death, saying he was killed while “carrying out his duty as an officer.”
Recently promoted by Putin
Gudkov was appointed deputy commander of the Russian navy in March by Vladimir Putin. Despite the promotion, officials say he continued to visit front-line troops personally.
“When he became deputy chief of the navy, he did not stop personally visiting the positions of our marines,” Kozhemyako said in a statement.
At the time of his death, he was leading a marine brigade from Russia’s Pacific Fleet, deployed in the border region.
Accused of war crimes
Gudkov had previously received honors from the Kremlin for battlefield conduct — but Kyiv has accused him of committing war crimes during his operations in Ukraine.
His death marks one of the biggest blows to Russia’s military leadership in over three years of war, further exposing the vulnerability of Moscow’s top brass even inside Russian territory.
