Mikhail Gudkov

Alleged war crimes in Bucha Gudkov and his subordinates were accused by Ukrainian authorities of committing multiple war crimes during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Insider reports that Gudkov continued to exercise operational control over the brigade and that Ukrainian authorities accused the unit of committing war crimes in Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel. Firstpost likewise states that the 155th Brigade, previously commanded by Gudkov, was linked to mass civilian killings in Bucha during the initial weeks of the conflict.

Death On 2 July 2025, Gudkov was killed by a Ukrainian missile strike in Russia's Kursk Oblast. His death was announced by the governor of Primorsky Krai, Oleg Kozhemyako, on 3 July. He was posthumously declared a Hero of the Russian Federation, becoming the first person in recent history to be awarded the title twice. Gudkov is one of the most senior Russian military officers to have been killed since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Two Orders of Courage Zhukov Medal Medals of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Hero of Primorye The 155th Independent Guards Kursk Marine Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, bearing the Orders of Zhukov and Suvorov, was awarded the honorary title "named after twice Hero of the Russian Federation Major General M. E. Gudkov". A monument is planned to be erected in Kursk.