Roman Starovoyt, Former Russian Transport Minister, Dies by Apparent Suicide Following Dismissal
Roman Starovoyt, Russia’s former transport minister and one-time governor of the Kursk region, was found dead on Monday, just hours after President Vladimir Putin signed a decree relieving him of his duties.
According to officials, the 53-year-old was discovered with a gunshot wound inside his car in the Odintsovo district near Moscow. The Investigative Committee has stated that suicide is the leading explanation at this time.
State media reported that the incident took place near a residential area, with investigators seen at the scene. Details surrounding the exact time of the shooting remain unclear.
Starovoyt’s dismissal was formally announced earlier in the day without explanation. The Kremlin’s statement simply noted his removal from office, sparking questions amid recent unrest in Russia’s transport sector following Ukrainian drone strikes that disrupted air travel.
His sudden death comes amid ongoing internal scrutiny of officials overseeing regions affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Reports have surfaced suggesting that Starovoyt may have been under investigation for possible mismanagement or corruption related to border fortification funds.
In April, his successor in Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, was arrested over allegations of embezzling millions of dollars meant for border defenses. Several outlets claim Smirnov may have implicated Starovoyt during questioning.
Despite speculation, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated earlier that the dismissal was not tied to any “loss of trust.” However, the timing of events has fueled conversation about deeper internal shake-ups within the government during a period of heightened pressure.
Following the announcement of Starovoyt’s departure, Putin met with Deputy Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin, who has now been named acting minister. The Duma is expected to vote on his official appointment shortly.
A native of the Kursk region, Starovoyt had been a visible figure throughout Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, regularly appearing alongside Putin during official engagements. His unexpected death has left many in shock, with no public statement from the Kremlin so far.
