Latest news with #155thBrigade
New York Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Top Russian General Killed in ‘Combat Operations' Near Ukraine
A top Russian marine commander, who was recently promoted by President Vladimir V. Putin, has been killed in the Kursk region near the Ukrainian border, Russia's defense ministry said in a statement on Thursday. The officer, Maj. Gen. Mikhail Gudkov, was the deputy chief of the Russian Navy, in charge of coastal and ground forces. Before he was promoted earlier this year, he had commanded the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, a group of marines who were heavily involved in the early weeks of the invasion of Ukraine and, more recently, in the battle for control of the Kursk region in Russia. Ukrainian officials, who have previously claimed responsibility for several targeted assassinations of Russian commanders, did not immediately comment on reports of the general's death. Ukraine has accused the 155th brigade of killing civilians in Kyiv's suburbs in the early weeks of the war and of executing prisoners of war. The Russian defense ministry gave few details, saying only that General Gudkov had been killed on Wednesday 'during combat operations' in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine. An obituary published on social media by a marines veterans association said four missiles had struck the brigade's command center in the village of Korenevo, about 17 miles from the border, killing General Gudkov and nine other people, 'many of them senior officers.' Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of the Primorsky region in Russia's Far East, where General Gudkov formerly serve, also confirmed his death in a social media post, calling him a 'strong-willed' general who 'died in the line of duty together with his troops.' The Russian defense ministry did not report the deaths of others from the 155th brigade. The killing of the general comes as Moscow's forces have made advances in eastern Ukraine and the Trump administration has paused the delivery of some air defense interceptors and other weapons to Ukraine, putting a strain on the Ukrainian army. Mr. Gudkov is the highest-ranking Russian officer to have been killed in an apparent Ukrainian attack since the death of Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik of the Russian General Staff in a car explosion in April in Moscow. In late March, Mr. Putin praised General Gudkov when he promoted him to deputy chief of the Russian Navy during a presidential visit to a nuclear-powered submarine, saying his 'experience should be replicated across other units.' In October 2023, Mr. Putin awarded General Gudkov the Hero of the Russian Federation Medal, a gold star that is one of the country's top military honors, citing his courage, heroism and skillful command as the leader of the 155th brigade.
Telegraph
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Russian general killed in Ukrainian Himars strike
A senior Russian general has been killed in a Himars-missile strike near the Ukrainian border, according to reports. Mikhail Yevgenyevich Gudkov, deputy commander of the Russian navy, was killed on Wednesday, according to Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of Primorsky Krai, a region in Russia's far east. Russian Telegram channels reported he was killed in a precision strike using US-made Himars weapons in Korenovo, Kursk. Ukrainian forces had targeted a Russian command centre, killing Gudkov, his deputy, and at least 20 others – most of them senior officers. He is one of the most senior Russian military officers to have been killed by Ukraine since Moscow launched its full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022. Gudkov's old unit, the 155th Separate Guards Naval Infantry Brigade, has been rebuilt at least eight times throughout the war after being decimated by Ukrainian forces, according to the Institute for the Study of War. It suffered a heavy defeat near Moschun, north-west of Kyiv, shortly after Vladimir Putin launched his invasion in early 2022. The brigade allegedly took part in the initial occupation of the Kyiv region, including Bucha, where war crimes were carried out against the civilian population, including rape, torture and summary executions. After further heavy losses and failed assaults in Pavlivka in Donetsk and Kharkiv, the 155th was transferred to Kursk, which had come under attack from Ukraine in 2024, with Kyiv's forces seizing a large swathe of Russian territory. Photos of memorial flowers appeared alongside Gudkov's portrait in the main square of Vladivostok, where he was officially recognised as a 'hero of Russia'. Gudkov's death came as both sides continued to trade strikes along the front line and beyond. He is the latest Russian general to have been killed in Russia's war on Ukraine. Moscow has confirmed the deaths of 11 generals, while Ukraine has claimed to have killed seven more, which Russia has neither confirmed nor denied. Two killed in Ukraine military centre A Russian attack on the city of Poltava in central Ukraine killed two people and damaged a military recruitment centre, the Ukrainian military and regional officials said on Thursday. Volodymyr Kohut, the regional governor, said 11 people were also wounded, while the military reported fires in the military recruitment building and in a nearby residential building. Photos from the scene posted by emergency services showed firefighters battling blazes as well as damaged buildings and cars. Meanwhile, a woman in her 70s was killed, and two other people injured, by falling debris from a destroyed Ukrainian drone in Russia's south-western region of Lipetsk, the regional governor said. The debris fell on a residential building in the district surrounding the regional capital, killing the woman and injuring two more, authorities said.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tupelo Memorial Day ceremony set for Monday morning
TUPELO — Tupelo officials will honor those who died serving in the United States Armed Forces as part of the federal Memorial Day holiday Monday. The city of Tupelo will hold its annual Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday at 9 a.m. This year's program includes remarks from Mayor Todd Jordan, with U.S. Rep Trent Kelly, who served 39 years in the Mississippi Army National Guard as a combat engineer, as the key speaker. While Veterans Day, which takes place in the fall, is reserved for all service members, Memorial Day honors those who died while in service of the country. Kelly was mobilized for Desert Storm in 1990 and also served with the 155th Brigade as operations officer of the 150th Engineer Battalion in Iraq. He earned the rank of major general before his retirement in 2025 and earned multiple awards, including two Bronze Stars, the Combat Action Badge, the Bronze, Silver, and Gold de Fleury medals, among others. In the event of rain, the ceremony will move from its traditional place at the park square to inside the Tupelo Aquatic Center, also on the park grounds. The ceremony is open to the public and free to attend. The national anthem will be performed by Hope Nanney and Camren Wages, 'Amazing Grace' will be performed by Owen McCulloch, and taps will be conducted by Sgt. Derrick Usher.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine's French-trained brigade faces fresh misconduct allegations; Ground Forces commander launches probe
Ground Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi ordered an inspection of the scandal-hit Ukrainian 155th "Anne of Kyiv" Brigade following misconduct allegations within the brigade's command, Ukrainska Pravda reported on May 19. Drapatyi said this in a written statement to Ukrainska Pravda after the outlet published an investigation into a possible involvement of the brigade's commander, Colonel Taras Maksimov, in handing out falsified bonus payments and demanding bribes. The investigation also noted over 1,200 cases of personnel going absent without official leave (AWOL) since 2025 and failure to sufficiently supply the unit. The Western-trained brigade had previously faced a scandal in 2024, where a media investigation uncovered rampant mismanagement and desertion among the personnel, leading to an inspection and a command change. In early May, a new controversy arose after law enforcement officers detained the acting commander of the unmanned systems battalion of the 155th Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Sviatoslav Shumsky. According to investigators, the officer demanded bribes from his subordinates to grant them falsified bonuses for allegedly participating in combat on the front line. Ukrainska Pravda's sources in the brigade said that Shumsky was merely an intermediary between service members and the command, and that similar schemes likely operate in other battalions. Maksimov's possible involvement in the scheme is under investigation, the outlet said, citing law enforcement sources. In response to Ukrainska Pravda's inquiry, Drapatyi emphasized that he devoted much time to setting up the 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade, finding a capable command, building up its combat capability, and providing it with drones. The commander added that Maksimov's candidacy for the 155th Brigade commander position was also selected by Volodymyr Shvediuk, the chief of the Western Operational Command. Drapatyi said that when looking for a candidate, he considered personal experience, feedback from his comrades, and the results of Maksimov's previous service. Drapatyi added that other candidates were also considered, but some had a lower professional level, and some refused because of other offers. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us The commander mentioned that the brigade was uncoordinated and poorly prepared at the time of the change of command. In Drapatyi's opinion, Maksimov's appointment significantly improved the brigade's condition and combat capability. "Whatever the achievements, I will not cover for anyone — there are no untouchables for me. I'm waiting for the results of all the inspections and what the investigation will find," Drapatyi said, adding that the investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) is still ongoing. "The command... is fully committed to exposing all those involved in the extortion. I want to emphasize to everyone who organizes such schemes: robbing their own brigade, mocking their comrades, profiting from blood. The punishment will be severe," he added. The brigade, initially intended as a flagship project for Ukrainian military modernization, was trained and equipped with assistance from France and other foreign partners. The brigade, which has approximately 5,800 troops, faced challenges from its inception. According to an investigation by Yurii Butusov, editor-in-chief of 2,500 service members were reassigned to other units before training began, depleting its experienced personnel. Between March and November 2024, over 1,700 soldiers reportedly abandoned their posts, with an additional 50 deserting while training in France. Of the 1,924 soldiers sent to France for training, only 51 had more than a year of military service, while 1,414 had served fewer than two months. Replenishment efforts brought in new recruits, but Butusov claimed proper selection processes were often neglected, exacerbating the unit's operational challenges. The media investigation prompted a high-level inquiry and led to the dismissal and detention of its then-commander, Colonel Dmytro Riumshyn. Maksimov was appointed to take his place. Read also: As Russia's fiber optic drones flood the battlefield, Ukraine is racing to catch up We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Norway pledges around $940 million to train and equip Ukrainian brigade
Norway will allocate 10 billion Norwegian kroner (approximately $937 million) in 2025 to help equip and train a Ukrainian military brigade, Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik announced on April 11 during a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, according to the Norwegian government. The initiative is part of a broader Nordic-Baltic effort to support Ukraine's land forces. Norway will take the lead role in the training component, working in close coordination with Ukrainian authorities and allied nations. 'Norway stands united with Europe for stronger support for Ukraine, politically, economically, and militarily,' Sandvik said. 'Our contribution is both material from our own defense and acquisitions of ammunition and materiel from Ukrainian and international industry. Not least, we will contribute with training.' Instead of establishing an entirely new brigade, the initiative will concentrate on developing modular units — smaller components designed to integrate into and strengthen Ukraine's existing brigades. These brigades typically comprise 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers and possess a variety of combat capabilities that enable them to operate independently. 'Under Norwegian leadership, the Nordic and Baltic countries work closely with Ukrainian authorities to ensure that the training and equipment meet Ukrainian needs as well as possible,' Sandvik explained. The previous initiatives to have Ukraine's Western backers train and equip new brigades were highly controversial. The 155th Brigade was intended to be a flagship project for Ukrainian brigades trained and armed with the assistance of foreign partners. French President Emmanuel Macron announced in June that France would provide training and military supplies as part of this initiative. Despite Paris fulfilling its commitments for training and arms provision, an investigation led by Yurii Butusov, editor-in-chief of Ukrainian media outlet pointed to problems in the brigade's creation and management, allegedly leading to 1,700 cases of soldiers going AWOL from the unit before firing a shot. During the Brussels summit, Sandvik also held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. According to Bloomberg, Norway also joined the U.K. in pledging a joint $585 million military aid package to Ukraine. The U.K. will contribute £350 million ($455 million), while Norway will provide £100 million ($130 million) through the U.K.-led International Fund for package includes support for the repair of previously delivered equipment, radar systems, anti-tank mines, and hundreds of thousands of drones. Earlier this week, Oslo also committed $454 million to procure artillery shells for Ukraine. Read also: Inside Ukraine's desperate race to train more soldiers We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
