- Russian Navy Deputy Commander Major General Mikhail Gudkov killed near Ukraine border.
- Ukrainian missile strike reportedly targeted command post in Korenevo, Kursk region.
- Gudkov had ties to 155th Brigade, previously linked to war crimes in Ukraine.
Major General Mikhail Gudkov, deputy commander of the Russian Navy, was killed in a Ukrainian military strike in Russia’s Kursk region, according to official statements from Moscow.
Gudkov had recently been promoted after commanding the 155th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade, a unit based in the Russian Far East and previously implicated in the torture and execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Ukrainian Strike in Kursk Kills Russian Navy Deputy Chief Mikhail Gudkov
Moscow confirmed the death of Major General Mikhail Gudkov on Thursday, stating that the top naval officer died “during combat duty” in the Kursk region. Reports suggest the Ukrainian strike was a targeted operation against a Russian command post, possibly aimed at disrupting command structures close to the Ukrainian border.
The location of the attack—Korenevo—sits uncomfortably close to Ukraine’s Sumy region and has seen increasing military activity in recent months. The success of such a high-value strike indicates that Ukraine may now possess enhanced intelligence and missile capabilities capable of reaching senior Russian commanders even within Russia’s borders.
Gudkov’s military career had recently accelerated, with his promotion to Navy deputy chief announced by Putin earlier this year. His former unit, the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade, gained notoriety not only for its battlefield involvement but also for documented war crimes involving the abuse of Ukrainian POWs—a legacy that has drawn widespread international condemnation.
The Kremlin has not publicly addressed how Ukraine was able to execute such a strike on a command post deep inside Russian territory. However, the incident may provoke stronger Russian countermeasures or internal reviews, as Ukraine increasingly targets high-ranking figures in its pushback against the full-scale invasion that began in 2022.
The death of Mikhail Gudkov marks a turning point in the conflict’s trajectory, underscoring Ukraine’s sharpened focus on dismantling Russia’s military leadership through precise, cross-border operations.
“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.” – General Norman Schwarzkopf
