The deputy head of the Russian military was killed during "combat work" in the Kursk region of Russia. He was the head of the Russian navy and had been appointed in March.

Major General Mikhail Gudkov is one of the most senior Russian military officers to have been killed since Moscow launched its full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022.

Major General Mikhail Gudkov, who also led a brigade fighting against Ukraine, died in Russia’s Kursk region, the region’s governor Oleg Kozhemyako confirmed.