July 3 (UPI) -- The Russian military confirmed today that the leader of the Russian navy was killed near the Ukrainian border. Major General Mikhail Gudkov , deputy head of the Russian military, was killed in an operation near the border. Russian defense ministry said the operation in the western Kursk region was "combat work." It gave no further details. The region borders Ukraine 's Sumy region. It's one of the most high-profile losses by Russia since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022.