A high-ranking russian military official, Major general Mikhail Gudkov, who held the critical role of deputy head of the Russian Navy, has been confirmed killed near the frontline with Ukraine. Moscow announced on Thursday, July 3, 2025, that Maj Gen Gudkov died the previous day “during combat work” in a border district of Russia’s Kursk region. His death marks a significant loss for the Russian military, particularly as he was recently praised and promoted by President Vladimir Putin himself.
Major General Gudkov, aged 42 and known by the call sign ‘Viking’, oversaw the entirety of the navy’s marine units and its coastal rocket and artillery forces. His elevation to this senior naval post occurred in March 2025, just a month after President Putin personally awarded him a top military honour in the Kremlin. Putin had publicly lauded Gudkov’s prior command of the 155th Marine Brigade, part of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, describing it as an elite formation and among the nation’s best. Upon appointing him deputy navy chief, Putin specifically tasked Gudkov with leveraging his experience to enhance combat efficiency and support a planned reorganization of the Marine Corps.
How Did Major General Gudkov Die?
While the Russian Defence Ministry confirmed Maj Gen Gudkov’s death during “combat work,” the precise circumstances remain unverified by independent sources. Unofficial accounts from both Russian and Ukrainian military channels on Telegram reported that Gudkov was killed in a Ukrainian missile attack. These reports suggest the strike targeted a command post located in the Kursk region, potentially using a U.S.-made HIMARS missile. The alleged target was reportedly a field headquarters near the village of Korenevo, situated about 19 miles (approximately 30 km) from the frontline.
Sources cited in external reports speculate that the location of the command post may have been compromised, possibly due to a mole or Ukrainian intelligence tracking the use of mobile phones by soldiers, perhaps during celebrations in Vladivostok. Reports indicate that multiple missiles struck the base. Alongside Maj Gen Gudkov, a number of other senior officers and servicemen were reportedly killed in the same incident, with one Russian servicemen’s organization claiming over 10 others died, including the likely new commander of his former brigade.
Significance of a Senior Commander’s Loss
Major General Gudkov’s death is particularly significant due to his high rank and recent direct endorsement from President Putin. As the deputy head of the Russian Navy responsible for its ground forces, he commanded substantial assets and personnel critical to the conflict. His loss deprives Russia of a seemingly battle-hardened and experienced commander at a key strategic level.
His passing is also notable within the broader context of the conflict, which has seen an unusually high attrition rate among Russian senior officers. Maj Gen Gudkov is reported to be at least the tenth Russian major general or lieutenant general killed since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Previous high-profile deaths include Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the chemical, biological, and radiological weapons unit, killed by a bomb in December, and Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of a general staff directorate, who died in a car explosion in April. While some attacks on Russian generals appear planned, others, including potentially the strike that killed Gudkov based on current information, might be more opportunistic strikes on detected targets.
A Decorated but Controversial Commander
Before his promotion to the navy’s top brass, Mikhail Gudkov built his career leading marine units on the frontline. He previously commanded the 155th Marine Brigade, a unit described as elite but one that has reportedly suffered heavy casualties throughout the conflict and has been repeatedly reconstituted. Gudkov’s brigade participated in some of the most intense fighting in Ukraine.
His command history includes involvement in the failed initial push towards Kyiv in the spring of 2022. The brigade also played a role in the brutal storming of the port city of Mariupol. Later, the 155th Brigade was heavily engaged in repeated, costly offensives at Vuhledar in 2023. More recently, the unit was redeployed to counter Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk province, the area where Gudkov ultimately met his end.
However, Gudkov’s leadership was not without controversy. Ukrainian authorities have accused him and subordinates from the 155th Marine Brigade of committing various war crimes during the conflict, including the alleged execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war. These accusations reportedly relate to actions in the Kursk region and an earlier sector, as witnessed by a captured marine. Moscow has consistently denied such allegations. Despite the controversies, some Russian war bloggers, like ‘Romanov Light’, regarded Gudkov as one of the most effective commanders, noting that he was one of the few reportedly willing to provide superiors with realistic assessments of the situation on the ground, rather than only reporting favourable news.
Context Within the Conflict and Kursk Region
Major General Gudkov’s death occurred in the Kursk region, a Russian province bordering Ukraine that has seen intense fighting. Parts of the region were briefly seized by Ukrainian forces in a surprise offensive in August 2024. Russia stated earlier in 2025 that it had successfully driven the Ukrainian forces out, though cross-border shelling and incursions have continued. Gudkov’s presence in the area suggests he was directly involved in overseeing operations related to securing the border and possibly coordinating marine units involved in fighting there or in Ukraine’s neighbouring Sumy region, as some Russian war bloggers speculated.
The news of his death coincided with other notable developments related to the conflict. During a telephone call between President Putin and Donald Trump, Putin reportedly reiterated Russia’s stance that it was not ready to negotiate over the “root causes” of the invasion, which he defined as developments since 1991, including NATO expansion and Ukraine’s independent policy. Meanwhile, recent Russian air attacks across Ukraine resulted in further civilian casualties. Additionally, reports emerged that the US has paused deliveries of Patriot air defence missiles and other precision weapons to Ukraine due to stockpile concerns, an issue Ukrainian President Zelenskyy was expected to discuss with the US president. While these events paint a broader picture of the conflict, Gudkov’s death highlights the continuing danger faced by high-ranking officers close to the frontline.
Back in Russia, specifically in the far eastern port city of Vladivostok, the home base of the Pacific Fleet and where Gudkov’s former brigade is based, mourners gathered to pay their respects. Flowers were placed near an outdoor portrait of the General, displayed as part of a photo exhibition honouring officers the Russian state regards as military heroes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Major General Mikhail Gudkov’s role in the Russian military?
Major General Mikhail Gudkov served as the deputy head of the Russian Navy. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing all of the navy’s marine units and its coastal rocket and artillery forces. He was appointed to this senior position by President Vladimir Putin in March 2025, having previously commanded the 155th Marine Brigade, known for its involvement in significant battles during the conflict in Ukraine.
How did the Russian military deputy commander reportedly die?
According to official confirmation from Russia, Major General Mikhail Gudkov was killed on July 3, 2025, “during combat work” in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine. Unofficial reports from military Telegram channels suggest he died in a Ukrainian missile attack targeting a command post. While independent verification is unavailable, these reports claim a US-made HIMARS missile strike was responsible, potentially hitting a base near the frontline and also killing other senior officers.
Why is Major General Gudkov’s death significant for Russia?
The death of Major General Gudkov is significant for Russia because it represents the loss of one of its most senior military officers with frontline experience. His recent promotion by President Putin underscores his importance within the naval command structure. As deputy head of the Navy overseeing marine forces, his death deprives Russia of an experienced leader crucial for coordinating ground operations and the ongoing reorganization of the Marine Corps. It also adds to a pattern of high-ranking Russian officer casualties in the conflict.
