Latest news with #Primorye
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Deputy head of Russian navy killed by Ukraine in Kursk, Moscow says
The deputy head of the Russian navy, Mikhail Gudkov, has been killed in Russia's Kursk region, the country's Ministry of Defence has confirmed. He is one of the most senior Russian commanders to have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago. The 42-year-old Gudkov, who was appointed to the position by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March, died 'during combat operations' in the border region on Wednesday, the state RIA news agency quoted the ministry as saying on Thursday. Unofficial Russian and Ukrainian military Telegram channels suggested Gudkov and other Russian officers died as a result of a Ukrainian missile attack on a command post in Kursk. Kyiv's troops seized parts of the Russian region in a surprise offensive in August 2024. Although Moscow claimed in April to have fully recovered it, clashes in the area have continued. Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of the eastern Russian region of Primorye, where the country's Pacific Fleet is based, said Gudkov was killed while 'carrying out his duty as an officer'. The regional governor added that the naval commander had, until earlier this year, led the fleet's 155th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade. 'When he became deputy chief of the navy, he did not stop personally visiting the positions of our marines,' Kozhemyako said on Telegram. The confirmation of Gudkov's death came as Moscow said on Thursday that it had captured the villages of Razine and Milove in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian army, which has not commented on the claim, said earlier in the day that it was 'steadfastly holding back' Russian attempts to gain ground in the area. In other developments, a Russian air strike on port infrastructure in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa killed two people, authorities said on Thursday. The attack involved a ballistic missile fitted with cluster munitions, according to the regional governor, Oleh Kiper. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Denmark on Thursday as Copenhagen assumed its six-month presidency of the European Union. His Danish counterpart, Mette Frederiksen, promised to help Kyiv join the bloc, saying her country would 'do everything … to help Ukraine on its path towards EU membership'. Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that his country had signed an agreement with United States company Swift Beat to manufacture hundreds of thousands of drones this year.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Deputy commander of Russia's navy is killed in Ukrainian missile strike - one of Putin's highest-ranked military officials to die
The deputy commander of Russia 's navy has been killed in a Ukrainian missile strike, the Kremlin has confirmed. Major General Mikhail Gudkov, 42, promoted in March by Vladimir Putin to deputy commander of the Russian Navy, was slain early on Wednesday. The general was a decorated Hero of Russia and his loss is a massive blow to Putin who had personally entrusted him with command over the Marine Infantry, as well as all missile and artillery coastal forces. He retained command of the Pacific Fleet's 155th Naval Infantry Brigade. Gudkov was killed early yesterday in a pinpoint Ukrainian missile strike on Korenevo in Russia's Kursk region, making him one of the highest ranking military officials to be killed by Ukraine, Russis's defence ministry confirmed. Primorye Region Governor Oleg Kozhemyako wrote of the news of Gudkov's death in a Telegram post: 'I express my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and fellow servicemen of Mikhail Gudkov, Nariman Shikhaliyev, and all other fighters who were killed in the Kursk Region.' Four out of eight missiles were reportedly downed by Russian air defences, but the others hit their marks. The strike hit a 'forward command post' when the general was meeting with other high ranked troops. Reports at the time said ten had died including 'many senior officers'. Later reports indicated a dozen had perished, and that the eventual toll may be higher. The strike was 11 miles from the border with Ukraine amid suspicions Gudkov was involved in Putin plane to invade Sumy region in the coming weeks. Some 50,000 Russians troops are massed at the border, in a development Donald Trump said this week he was watching 'very closely'. Obituaries say Gudkov died with his troops 'in combat action'. Flowers were being laid today for Gudkov in Vladivostok, Russia's Pacific capital, in Primorsky region, home of the 155th Marine Brigade which has played a key role in Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine. At a meeting in Russian Arctic capital Murmansk in March, Putin promoted Gudkov who had been picked out as a high-flying military talent. Putin told him: 'I have made the decision to transfer you to a new position and increase the level of your responsibility. 'You are being appointed Deputy Commander of the Naval Forces of the Russian Federation.' Gudkov replied: 'Aye, Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief.' In October 2023, then a Colonel, he had received the Gold Star of the Hero of Russia honour and an award pistol for 'courage, heroism and skilful command of subordinate units' for his war service. He was personally awarded by then defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.
