Top Russian Navy Commander Killed in Ukrainian Missile Strike Near Border

(The Post News)- A senior Russian naval commander has been killed in a missile strike near the Ukrainian border, in what marks one of the most high-profile Russian military losses since the war began.

Major General Mikhail Gudkov, who was deputy head of the Russian navy and oversaw marine units, died on Tuesday night in the Kursk region, the Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed on Thursday. He had been visiting frontline positions when the attack occurred. Gudkov, a decorated officer personally promoted by President Vladimir Putin in March, had previously led the 155th Marine Brigade, an elite force that’s seen some of the heaviest fighting since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The brigade has suffered such high casualties that it’s been rebuilt several times.

According to the governor of Russia’s Primorsky Krai, Oleg Kozhemyako, Gudkov “died performing his duty as an officer alongside his fellow soldiers.” Kozhemyako added that despite his senior rank, Gudkov often joined troops in the field. The missile strike reportedly hit a temporary command base near Korenevo, a village less than 30 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.

Russian Telegram channel MiG 41, citing unofficial information, suggested Ukrainian intelligence may have tracked the base after marines contacted relatives in Vladivostok during the city’s holiday celebrations.

Several other senior officers were believed to be at the site when the strike happened. At least four missiles reportedly hit the area, according to a local publication.

The 155th Brigade, which Gudkov once commanded, has a controversial record. It took part in the failed assault on Kyiv in early 2022 and fought during multiple offensives around Vuhledar in 2023. It’s also been accused by Ukrainian officials of war crimes, including the execution of nine prisoners of war last year in the same region where Gudkov died. A captured marine reportedly told Ukrainian forces that he had witnessed other captive soldiers being killed a month earlier.

While Gudkov’s death adds pressure on Russia’s military command, Ukraine itself has come under fresh bombardment. On Thursday, Kyiv reported three people killed and 34 wounded in Russian air attacks across several regions. Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted 40 out of 52 drones launched overnight, including Iranian-made Shahed drones. Meanwhile, the United States has paused deliveries of certain air defence systems to Ukraine, including Patriot interceptors. Current U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that some of these missiles were instead redirected to support Israel.