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Ukraine Missile Strike Kills Russia’s Deputy Navy Commander in Kursk

Moscow confirmation of the July 2 HIMARS strike that killed Gudkov along with his deputy underscores deepening cracks in its military command

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A view shows a scene of an explosion in which, according to Russia's investigative committee, Russian general Igor Kirillov, in charge of nuclear protection forces, and his assistant were killed, in Moscow, Russia December 17, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
A view shows flowers placed on a table in front of a board with a photograph of Major General Mikhail Gudkov, the deputy head of the Russian Navy, in the far eastern city of Vladivostok, Russia, July 3, 2025.

Overview

  • Russia’s Defence Ministry and Primorye Governor confirmed that the July 2 strike in Korenevo killed Maj. Gen. Mikhail Gudkov, his deputy Nariman Shikhaliyev and between 10 to 20 other servicemen.
  • The precision attack used US-made HIMARS rockets to target a forward command post roughly 11 miles from the Ukraine border.
  • Gudkov, 42, was appointed deputy commander of the Russian Navy in March after leading the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade, a unit repeatedly rebuilt following heavy losses.
  • His death is at least the 11th confirmed loss of a senior Russian officer since the 2022 invasion and highlights Ukraine’s evolving long-range targeting capabilities.
  • Ukraine has not publicly claimed responsibility for the strike, and fighting continues along the RussiaUkraine border.