Russian President Vladimir Putin leads a cabinet meeting via videoconference at the Kremlin in Moscow, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. via Associated Press
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.”
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 05 July 2025.
Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/2aG2RLTxbj#StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/UklHTPoSzb — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) July 5, 2025
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.
eaglemaxie on July 7th, 2025 at 16:46 UTC »
A group of Roman senators assassinated Julius Caesar. "They feared Caesar's growing power and believed his ambition threatened the Roman Republic. The assassination took place in the Senate chamber, where Caesar was stabbed to death"
PanneKopp on July 7th, 2025 at 16:27 UTC »
Vlad should chosoe a special operating window himself and bring home his boys .
Rare_Confidence6347 on July 7th, 2025 at 16:24 UTC »
Maybe Russia should quit the war