We do not know the circumstances surrounding the death of Major General Mikhail Gudkov. And the question of what the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Navy for Coastal and Land Forces was doing 20 km from the front line arises naturally. This has long ceased to be a safe distance, as effective missile strikes have been carried out from greater distances.
It was assumed that Gudkov had been tasked with reorganizing the fragmented marine corps, which was to be transformed from brigades into divisions. Rumors circulated among the military in Moscow that a unified marine corps was being organized, similar to that in the United States. And the young general was supposed to put all his experience and mental strength into this small reform.
There is a powerful Soviet tradition in relations between junior and senior generals. From above, in a raised voice, they proclaim: “You don’t understand the situation! Go to the front yourself, see what’s going on there! Immediately!” And he goes, although he usually can’t do much to help the front-line soldiers. But he demonstrates personal courage and leadership qualities — he is always in the front ranks.
And the division commander has distributed his equipment to reinforce the battalions and is left with nothing important to do. And so they are already interfering in management. They remove their subordinates. And the visitor from Moscow with his impressive epaulettes watches with wide eyes as the brigade staff officers spend two hours directly controlling the drone operator.
And the observer has only one thought: “Damn it, what is the battalion commander doing, whose subordinate is this operator?” The battalion commander has been pushed aside — “he doesn’t understand the situation.” And now they’re going to show him how to fight.
The lower the general descends into matters of direct combat management, the greater the losses among the generals. An American general commands his divisional unit in the interests of his brigades to a depth of 150 km, and he has plenty to do. You won’t find him at the front line.
I repeat, we do not know how the young and promising Major General Mikhail Gudkov died. But there are traditions in the army that would be good to leave in the past. And if there are veterans who are trying to reproduce them in the minds of young people, it is better to leave these veterans in the past as well. Give them all the awards they deserve and leave them in the past.
Because Mikhail Gudkov is probably the tenth general to die in Ukraine. Have as many colonels died in the Armed Forces of Ukraine as generals in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation?
This article raises important questions about the role of generals in modern warfare and the risks they face when involved too closely in frontline combat. It seems like a difficult balance between leadership presence and practical command, and perhaps it’s time to reconsider old military traditions that may no longer be effective or safe.
Looks like the generals are getting a bit too close to the action—maybe they just want to earn that “frontline selfie” badge before checking out. If reorganizing marines means taking unnecessary risks, maybe some timeless traditions should retire earlier than planned 😂🎯
This reflection on the tragic fate of Major General Gudkov speaks volumes about the cost of old military traditions confronting modern warfare. It makes me think about how courage alone, while deeply human and admirable, might sometimes clash with strategic wisdom and the realities of technology and leadership. There’s a profound tension between leading from the front to inspire, and the need to command effectively from a distance where decisions can shape the bigger picture. Perhaps true leadership today requires embracing change while honoring experience, not just repeating patterns that have led to needless losses. It’s a sober reminder that every loss echoes beyond the battlefield, challenging us to rethink how bravery and strategy must evolve together 🌿⚔️