Former Russian Transport Minister Found Dead After Dismissal by Putin

Roman Starovoit, recently removed as Russia's transport minister, has been found dead from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound following his dismissal by President Vladimir Putin. The Investigative Committee has confirmed they are probing into the circumstances surrounding his death. Lacking an explanation for his removal, Starovoit had served in the role for just over four months and previously governed the Kursk region. This area has seen conflict, with parts controlled by Ukrainian forces last summer. His short-lived successor, Aleksey Smirnov, faced legal troubles surrounding embezzlement linked to border fortifications. As questions circulate regarding the trust between Putin and his former minister, the situation remains ambiguous amid reports of ongoing tensions in the region.

In comments regarding Starovoit's dismissal, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that no direct implication of lost trust was made. The unclear timing of Starovoit's death, as mentioned by State Duma Defense Committee head Andrei Kartapolov, adds further intrigue to this incident, with implications regarding the volatile political landscape in Russia.