The administration of the Urmarsky district in the Chuvashia Republic of Russia announced on 11/7 that Colonel Sergei Ilyin, commander of the 155th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade, was buried after being killed in action in Ukraine.
Officials said he displayed "extraordinary courage and heroism" in carrying out his combat duties, but did not specify the cause or time of his death.
In a photo purportedly taken at Ilyin's funeral, a memorial plaque indicates he died on 2/7, the same day reports emerged that 11 high-ranking Russian officers, including Deputy Navy Commander Mikhail Gudkov, were killed in a Ukrainian missile strike on a field headquarters in Kursk province. Some military analysts believe Ilyin was among those killed.
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Commander of the Russian 155th Brigade, Sergei Ilyin, in a photo posted on 10/7. Photo: Urmarsky District Administration |
Commander of the Russian 155th Brigade, Sergei Ilyin, in a photo posted on 10/7. Photo: Urmarsky District Administration
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed on 3/7 that Deputy Navy Commander Gudkov was killed while "performing combat duties" in the Kursk region the previous day, but did not specify the cause or mention other casualties. The agency has not commented on the Urmarsky district administration's announcement.
Part of the Pacific Fleet, the 155th Brigade is one of Russia's most elite units. Russian President Vladimir Putin has frequently praised the brigade, notably at his year-end press conference in December 2024.
Putin also credited the 155th Brigade with repelling a Ukrainian cross-border incursion in August of the same year. Ilyin became commander of the 155th Brigade in March after Gudkov was appointed deputy navy commander by Putin.
Gudkov is one of at least 10 Russian generals killed since the conflict began. The most recent incident occurred in April when General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, was killed in a car bombing, suspected to have been carried out by Ukrainian intelligence near Moscow.
Despite his new position, Gudkov continued to remain at the front lines to directly command the operations of the 155th Brigade and other naval infantry units.
Pham Giang (TASS, Moscow Times)
