Vladimir Putin signed a decree posthumously awarding the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Mikhail Gudkov, a second 'Golden Star' medal, which is awarded to Heroes of Russia. The death of Gudkov during a Ukrainian strike on the headquarters of the 155th Marine Brigade in the Kursk region became known on July 3.
Mikhail Gudkov — former commander of the 155th Separate Guards Marine Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, which is associated with the beheading of Ukrainian soldiers and numerous crimes against civilians, including in Bucha. Since March 2025, he became the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy with the rank of Major General. In 2023, for his participation in the war against Ukraine, he was awarded the title of Hero of Russia.
'Agency'* notes that this is the first case of awarding two 'Golden Star' medals for participation in the war with Ukraine. According to the governor of the Kursk region, Alexander Khinshtein, Gudkov became the first in modern history to be twice named Hero of Russia.
* Recognized in Russia as a 'foreign agent'.