Command Of Russian Army 'Undermined' After 16 Of Putin's Generals Killed At War, UK Says
Story by Kate Nicholson • 6 July 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin leads a cabinet meeting via videoconference at the Kremlin in Moscow, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Russian President Vladimir Putin leads a cabinet meeting via videoconference at the Kremlin in Moscow, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Vladimir Putin has reportedly lost 16 Russian generals in battle since declaring war on Ukraine, according to the UK.
The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) claimed this loss has subsequently undermined command and control in some parts of the army.
The MoD also noted in its latest update on X that two senior generals have died so far in 2025 and five in the last 12 months alone.
The MoD said: “The loss of so many high-ranking officers is likely to have had the effect of undermining command and control in parts of the Russian Armed Forces.
“This has likely contributed to Russian tactical and operational difficulties during the conflict.”
The MoD confirmed that Major General Mikhail Gudkov was the latest to be killed in battle after a Ukrainian strike on a Russian command post. He died on July 2 in the Kursk oblast in western Russia, the region Ukrainian troops seized in a surprise incursion last August.
Russia has claimed to have retaken the area completely since April, while Ukraine has maintained that the fighting is ongoing.
The MoD said: “It is likely Gudkov was directing marine infantry units attempts to establish a buffer zone in the Ukrainian oblast of Sumy.
“Russia’s advances in Sumy have slowed due to Ukrainian counterattacks and significant Russian losses.”
The MoD has previously claimed Russia has now surpassed a million military losses since Putin first invaded Ukraine back in February 2022.
Despite the staggering attrition rate and Donald Trump’s efforts to secure a peace deal, the Russian president has refused to compromise on any long-term ceasefire deals with Ukraine.
Only last month, he confirmed that he still wants to annex all of Ukraine.
“I have said many times that the Russian and Ukrainian people are one nation, in fact. In this sense, all of Ukraine is ours,” Putin said.
Poster Comment:
X at source. <
War is hell. Modern warfare even more so.