Deputy commander of Russian Navy killed in Ukrainian strike in Kursk

Russian officials confirmed on Thursday that the deputy commander of the Russian Navy, Major General Mikhail Gudkov, has been killed in a Ukrainian strike in Russia's Kursk region.

The deputy commander of the Russian Navy, Major General Mikhail Gudkov, has been killed in a Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Kursk region, officials reported on Thursday.According to the governor of Russia's Primorsky Krai, Gudkov, a high-ranking Russian naval officer, was killed in the district of Korenevo, which borders Ukraine.Russian and Ukrainian military Telegram channels had earlier reported that Gudkov had been killed along with 10 other servicemen in a Ukrainian attack on a command post. Gudkov previously led the 155th Marine Brigade of the Russian army, which has been involved in the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war.Captured Russian marines of this brigade confirmed that they killed or witnessed the killing of captured Ukrainian soldiers. They have also filmed and posted videos of the torture and execution of the captured Ukrainian soldiers.The 155th Marine Brigade of Russia's Pacific Fleet was relocated to Russia’s Kursk region after Ukraine’s surprise incursion in August 2024.Gudkov is one of the most senior Russian military officers to have been killed by Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion against its neighbour in early 2022.Moscow has previously decorated Gudkov for "bravery in military action against Ukraine". Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed him deputy commander-in-chief of the navy in March, according to a statement on the Kremlin's website.The governor of Russia's Primorsky Krai, Oleg Kozhemyakov, said Gudkov had been killed "carrying out his duty as an officer" along with others and didn’t provide more details.Kyiv has not officially commented on the reports.