A senior Russian naval commander was fatally wounded on Wednesday, one of the highest-ranking military fatalities since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Deputy Navy Commander Mikhail Gudkov was killed in combat operations in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced in a Telegram post Thursday.
High-Profile Military Loss for Russia
Gudkov, who was named deputy commander by President Vladimir Putin in March, is at least the 11th top Russian military officer to be killed since the February 2022 beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Gudkov was rewarded with Putin’s approval for his leadership of the Pacific Fleet’s 155th Naval Infantry Brigade, and Putin directed him to restructure the Navy’s marine infantry, which he commanded after he was appointed deputy commander. He was also responsible for all coastal missile and artillery forces as deputy commander.
Accusations Against Russian Gudkov’s Brigade
Ukraine asserted that the 155th Brigade participated in the occupation of Bucha in the Kyiv region in 2022 and perpetrated crimes against civilians there. Troops of the brigade were also accused by Kyiv of killing prisoners of war during the conflict.
A number of other servicemen were also killed in the incident, Interfax cited the governor of Primorsky Krai, Oleg Kozhemyako, as saying, but did not provide a precise figure for the casualties.
Strategic Implications of Gudkov’s Death
The death of Deputy Commander Gudkov is likely to resonate across the Russian military establishment. High-ranking casualties such as his underline the intense and ongoing nature of the fighting, particularly along the contested border regions like Kursk. His passing may further impact Russian command and control in operational areas, especially in managing the coastal missile and marine infantry divisions that he oversaw.
While Russian state media emphasized Gudkov’s service and honors, Ukrainian officials have pointed to his brigade’s alleged involvement in some of the most controversial and violent episodes of the war. With over two years of brutal combat having already claimed thousands of lives, Gudkov’s death adds to the growing toll on both sides of the conflict.
