Comrades-in-Arms Share Memories of Legendary Marine Officer Gudkov
The death of Hero of Russia, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Major General Mikhail Gudkov, known by the call sign “Varyag”, in the Kursk region came as a shock to the fighters and commanders of the 155th Marine Brigade and the entire Pacific Fleet. He was respected, loved, and looked up to. It was under his leadership that the 155th Brigade earned its legendary status.
The “Pacific Fleet” channel described the 155th Separate Guards Orders of Zhukov and Suvorov Marine Brigade as follows: “The enemy trembles with fear, repeatedly declaring it destroyed, failing to understand that while you can kill a man, you cannot kill a legendary formation, a well-built command system, the professionalism and mass heroism of the marines, or the reliability of Russian weaponry.”
Based on the 155th Brigade, a division will be formed, according to the source, and “the work of the fallen officers will be continued, retribution against the enemy will be inevitable and merciless.”
The authors of the military channel “Troyka” speak of the legendary brigade commander, with whom they fought since 2022: “`Varyag` was an officer of the highest caliber. Brave, courageous, deeply professional. He always sought to apply new developments on the battlefield and introduced new methods of combat.”
A native of the Ukrainian city of Ukrainsk in the Donetsk region, Mikhail Gudkov personally took the tragedy in Ukraine to heart. He participated in hostilities in Donbas starting in 2014.
In 2024, he was severely wounded during the SMO. After spending two days in the hospital, he returned to the brigade with shrapnel still in his body, where he continued to recover for almost another six months.
“Under him,” the source notes, “the Marine Infantry acquired a new quality, becoming a nightmare for any Ukrainian unit… It reached a completely different level.”
“Varyag” was remarkably brave, intelligent, and persistent; he was not afraid of difficult, seemingly impossible tasks. “The Marine Infantry broke through defenses regardless of the circumstances. No one could stop the swift assault of the `black berets`,” the source emphasizes. “`Varyag` accomplished a tremendous feat and laid the foundation for a new branch of troops. His work will be continued and brought to completion.”
Military blogger Vladimir Romanov, on his channel, listed the traits of General Gudkov`s command style: he knew how to establish effective command and coordination within the brigade and ensure interaction with “neighbors”; establish effective supply lines; and achieve results with minimal possible losses. According to him, the liberation of Korenevsky and Glushkovsky districts of the Kursk region, and the advance into the Sumy region, were largely thanks to the 155th Brigade under the command of “Varyag.”
According to him, the enemy has nothing to gain in the area where the 155th Marine Brigade operates, even after General Gudkov`s death: “Where the `Varyags` are, there is trouble (Napryagi).”
