Russian navy deputy commander praised by Putin killed near Ukraine frontline, Moscow says
Major General Mikhail Gudkov — who was handed the Kremlin's highest honour by Mr Putin in February and appointed to the top naval post — was killed "during combat work in one of the border districts of Kursk region" next to Ukraine, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
In charge of the navy's coastal rocket and artillery forces and all of the navy's marine units, the 42-year-old is one of the most senior Russian military officers to have been killed since Moscow launched its offensive on Ukraine in February 2022.
Unofficial Russian and Ukrainian military Telegram channels reported that Gudkov had been killed — along with other service men and officers — in a Ukrainian missile attack on a command post in Russia's Kursk region with a US-made HIMARS missile.
Reuters could not independently verify how Gudkov, whose call sign was 'Viking', died or what he was doing in Kursk.
Some Russian war bloggers said he had been in overall command of marines advancing in Ukraine's neighbouring Sumy region.
Oleg Kozhemyako, head of the Primorye region in Russia's Far East, said Gudkov "was killed carrying out his duty as an officer".
At least 10 other senior Russian commanders have been killed in action or assassinated by Kyiv since the start of the war.
There was no immediate comment from Ukraine, which accused Gudkov and his subordinates of committing various war crimes, something that Moscow denied.
Mr Putin singled Gudkov out for praise in March when he appointed him, saying that the 155th Marine brigade — which he commanded as part of Russia's Pacific Fleet — was an elite unit and one of the best Russia had.
He tasked Gudkov with applying his knowledge and experience to increase the combat efficiency of the new forces under his command and of helping oversee a planned reorganisation of Russia's Marine corps.
Russian war blogger 'Romanov Light' said Gudkov was regarded by troops as one of the most effective commanders and as one of the few to tell superiors the real situation on the ground, rather than what they wanted to hear.
Before his promotion to the navy's top brass, Gudkov had led his marine brigade through fighting inside Ukraine, including in combat around Kyiv, and had taken part in the storm of the port city of Mariupol, before eventually going on to fight in the Kursk region.
In the far eastern port city of Vladivostok — the home base of Russia's Pacific Fleet — mourners left flowers near an outdoor portrait of Gudkov — part of a photo exhibition celebrating officers Russia regards as military heroes.
Ukrainian forces captured large parts of Kursk in a surprise offensive last year, which was a response to Russia's full-scale campaign against their country which began in 2022.
Russia in April said it had fully recaptured the territory but clashes in the border region have continued.
AFP/Reuters
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