Senior Russian Navy Commander Killed in Ukrainian Strike on Kursk Command Post

Major General Mikhail Gudkov, the deputy head of the Russian Navy

Major General Mikhail Gudkov, deputy chief of the Russian Navy and a decorated military commander, has been killed in a Ukrainian strike on a command post in Russia’s Kursk region, officials confirmed Thursday.

Gudkov was among 11 Russian servicemen reportedly killed during the attack in Korenevo, a town near the border with Ukraine. His death marks one of the highest-ranking Russian military losses since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

The governor of Russia’s Far Eastern Primorsky Krai, Oleg Kozhemyako, publicly confirmed Gudkov’s death, stating that the general died "carrying out his duty as an officer." Kozhemyako described Gudkov as a dedicated and courageous leader who remained personally involved on the frontlines even after being promoted to senior naval leadership.

"When he became Deputy Chief of the Navy, he did not stop personally visiting the positions of our marines," the governor said. He extended condolences to the families of all those killed in the strike.

Though the Russian Ministry of Defense has yet to issue an official statement, reports of the fatal attack were initially circulated on Russian and Ukrainian military-linked Telegram channels. There has also been no official comment from Ukrainian authorities.

Gudkov previously commanded a Marine Brigade of Russia’s Pacific Fleet and had been stationed in the embattled Kursk region, which has experienced repeated cross-border shelling and incursions during the war. Ukrainian forces briefly seized territory in the area during a surprise offensive in August 2024, before being pushed back by Russian troops.

President Vladimir Putin had appointed Gudkov as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy in March, according to official records. He had received several awards for battlefield valor, though Kyiv had also accused him of committing war crimes during operations in Ukraine.

His death is seen as a significant blow to Russia’s military leadership amid ongoing conflict and rising casualties on both sides of the war.