The deputy head of the Russian Navy was killed in a Ukrainian strike on a Russian command post in Kursk Oblast.
A high-ranking Russian military official has been killed in a Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, a region that borders northeastern Ukraine, according to Russian authorities.
Major General Mikhail Gudkov, deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, was confirmed dead on July 3 by Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of Russia’s Primorsky Krai. Gudkov, who had taken on the Navy leadership role in March 2025, previously commanded the 155th Separate Marine Brigade — a unit that saw heavy combat in Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces reportedly targeted a Russian command post in the Korenevo district near the border. In addition to Gudkov, several other Russian service members were also killed in the strike, including army officer Nariman Shikhaliyev, according to The Kyiv Independent. Kyiv has not officially acknowledged responsibility for the operation.
Strike Tied to Earlier Ukrainian Incursion Into Russian Territory
The deadly attack comes nearly a year after Ukraine launched an unprecedented ground invasion into Russia’s Kursk region in August 2024 — the first major foreign incursion into Russian territory since World War II.
Ukraine’s move was intended to gain leverage during stalled peace negotiations, disrupt Russia’s planned offensive on neighboring Sumy Oblast, and ease pressure on Ukrainian defenses in the Donetsk region.
According to Ukrainian claims, the operation inflicted heavy losses on Russian forces: over 63,000 casualties, with approximately 25,600 killed, 971 captured, and more than 5,600 pieces of military hardware destroyed or disabled.
Russia Regains Territory with North Korean Help
However, Ukraine’s gains were largely reversed by a Russian counteroffensive launched in March 2025. Backed by thousands of North Korean troops, Russia succeeded in reclaiming most of the lost ground.
Though North Korea’s involvement bolstered Russian forces, it has come at a steep cost. Ukrainian sources report high casualty rates among North Korean soldiers — a major setback for Kim Jong Un’s regime, which has been quietly deepening military ties with Moscow.
The death of Maj. Gen. Gudkov marks another dramatic development in the ongoing conflict as both sides continue to exchange blows while peace efforts remain stalled.
