Russian Navy deputy commander lauded by Putin is killed by Ukraine, says Moscow

A view shows flowers placed near a board with a photograph of Major General Mikhail Gudkov, the deputy head of the Russian Navy who, according to local authorities, was recently killed in the Kursk region amid Russia-Ukraine conflict, at an exhibition of distinguished Russian soldiers' portraits in the far eastern city of Vladivostok, Russia, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Tatiana Meel

(Reuters) -Major General Mikhail Gudkov, deputy head of the Russian Navy who was praised and promoted by President Vladimir Putin, has been killed in action, depriving Moscow of one of its most senior officers, the Russian military said on Thursday.

Gudkov, who was handed a top military honour in the Kremlin by Putin in February and appointed by him to the top naval post in March, was killed on Wednesday "during combat work in one of the border districts of Kursk region," which is next to Ukraine, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.