Doha: The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday the death of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Major General Mikhail Gudkov, in a border region of Kursk Oblast.

According to Qatar News Agency, General Gudkov was killed on Wednesday during combat operations in one of the border areas of Kursk.

Gudkov previously commanded the 155th Naval Brigade of the Pacific Fleet and was appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy in March. The 42-year-old served in the military since 2000 and is one of the highest-ranking Russian officers to be killed since Moscow launched its attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Ukrainian forces seized large parts of Kursk in a surprise attack last year. Although Russia later claimed full control over the oblast, clashes in the border region continue.