• Major General Mikhail Gudkov, deputy head of the Russian Navy, was killed in a Ukrainian missile attack in Kursk.
• His death marks a significant loss for the Russian military, being one of the highest-ranking casualties since the war began.
• Gudkov had been appointed by President Putin in March and previously led a prominent marine brigade.
• At least ten other servicemen were reported killed alongside Gudkov in the attack on a command post.
• Ukrainian military sources indicated it involved a HIMARS missile strike.

Major General Mikhail Gudkov, the deputy head of the Russian Navy, has been confirmed killed in a missile attack during combat operations in the Kursk region. His death was publicly acknowledged by Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of Primorye, who stated that Gudkov died “while fulfilling his duty as an officer,” alongside ten other servicemen in the incident. The attack reportedly targeted a command post in Korenevo, close to the Ukrainian border, where unofficial military channels claimed a HIMARS missile was used, which Ukraine has not officially acknowledged involvement in, consistent with its policy on strikes in Russian territory, according to Reuters, TRT Global, and AA.

Gudkov, 42, had been elevated to deputy commander-in-chief just months prior to his death and was a notable figure in the ongoing war, having received multiple honors including the title of “Hero of the Russian Federation” from President Vladimir Putin. His operational responsibilities included oversight of troops in the Kursk region, where significant clashes have continued despite Russian assertions of regaining control after past Ukrainian offensives, according to India Times, BBC, and Al Jazeera.

The implications of Gudkov's death are significant, as he represented one of the most senior casualties for Russia since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. His role had previously included command of the 155th Separate Guards Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, which has been directly involved in military operations against Ukraine. The governor of Primorye noted Gudkov's dedication to his troops, stating that “he did not stop personally visiting the positions of our marines,” highlighting his active engagement in the leadership of military operations, according to Newsweek and Dawn.