Russia-Ukraine battle: Senior Russian naval officer, once awarded ‘Hero of the Russian Federation’ by Putin, killed in combat

A high-ranking Russian naval officer was killed throughout “combat operations” in the border area of Kursk, Russia’s defence ministry confirmed on Thursday. Major common Mikhail Gudkov, who served as deputy commander of the Russian navy, died on 2 July whereas “carrying out his duty” throughout ongoing clashes in the space. “During combat operations in one of the border areas of the Kursk region on July 2, 2025… Major General Mikhail Evgenievich Gudkov was killed,” Russia’s state-run RIA information company quoted the defence ministry as saying. Gudkov was one of the most senior Russian army figures to be killed since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.The 42 12 months previous officer had been serving in the army since 2000. In 2023, he was awarded the title of “Hero of the Russian Federation,” Kremlin’s highest honour, by Russian president Vladimir Putin. Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of the Primorye area in Russia’s Far East, paid tribute to the officer, describing him as a “strong-spirited fighter”Kozhemyako stated that he had talked a “lot” to Gudkov over the years and was”was killed carrying out his duty as an officer.” Even after being appointed deputy commander of the Russian navy, he “did not stop going out in person to the positions of our marines.” Gudkov had previously commanded the 155th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, which is based in the Russian Far East, he said, quoted by AFP.Ukrainian forces seized significant portions of the Kursk region in a surprise offensive last year, launched in response to Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion. Although Moscow claimed to have fully regained control of the area in April, fighting along the border has persisted.