The investigation follows the unexplained dismissal of Roman Starovoit, raising questions about the inner workings of the Russian government.
Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit Found Dead after Dismissal
Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit Found Dead after Dismissal
Former minister was reportedly struggling with investigations into embezzlement.
Former Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit has been found dead, reportedly from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, shortly after being dismissed by President Vladimir Putin. The Investigative Committee of Russia is currently working to ascertain the circumstances surrounding his death. While no specific reason was provided for his dismissal on Monday, the announcement of deputy transport minister Andrei Nikitin as his replacement came soon after.
Starovoit, who took office in May 2024, previously served as the governor of the Kursk region for nearly nine years. His tenure was marred by the regional impacts of the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, particularly after part of Kursk was seized by Ukrainian troops in a surprise offensive in August 2024. Russian forces eventually managed to reclaim the territory, but tensions and territorial disputes continue, with reports suggesting that small areas remain under Ukrainian control.
His brief successor, Aleksey Smirnov, faced legal trouble of his own, having been arrested in April for alleged embezzlement related to funds designated for fortification projects along the Ukrainian border. Speculation is rife that Starovoit was to be implicated in similar charges, which may have contributed to his tumultuous exit from office.
While Starovoit's exact time of death remains unclear, Andrei Kartapolov, head of the State Duma’s Defense Committee, indicated that the former minister's passing occurred some time prior to the public announcement. On the day of Starovoit’s dismissal, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov avoided direct answers about the implications of the decision on trust within the Putin administration, saying that such matters were not included in the official statements made. The situation remains fluid as the Investigative Committee progresses in its inquiries.
