🇷🇺 Former Russian Transport Minister Found Dead Hours After Dismissal
Roman Starovoyt, Russia’s recently dismissed Minister of Transport, was found dead from a gunshot wound inside his vehicle on Monday, just hours after President Vladimir Putin officially relieved him of his duties. The body was discovered in Odintsovo, a suburb west of Moscow, according to a statement from the Investigative Committee of Russia.
🕵️ Suicide Suspected, Investigation Underway
Authorities are currently treating the case as a suspected suicide, though an official investigation is ongoing. No suicide note has been reported, and officials have not confirmed whether a weapon was recovered at the scene.
🧾 Timeline: Dismissal and Death
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Morning (Monday): Kremlin issues a presidential decree dismissing Starovoyt from his role as transport minister.
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Hours later: Starovoyt’s body is discovered with a gunshot wound.
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Evening: President Putin appoints Andrei Nikitin, former governor of Novgorod, as acting minister of transport.
🛑 Context: Turmoil in Transport and Border Security
Starovoyt’s dismissal came amid:
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Severe travel disruptions at multiple Russian airports following Ukrainian drone attacks.
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Alleged corruption probes involving the misappropriation of funds intended for building border fortifications in the Kursk region, which he governed before joining the cabinet.
Though the Kremlin insists the dismissal was “not due to a loss of trust”, analysts speculate the move may be connected to internal investigations surrounding financial mismanagement and border security lapses.
🗺️ Starovoyt’s Role in Kursk and National Politics
As governor of Kursk, a region near the Ukrainian border, Starovoyt managed several crises, including cross-border attacks, troop mobilizations, and critical infrastructure developments.
He became Transport Minister in May 2024, promising to overhaul Russia’s transportation networks through digitalisation and modern logistics.
🔁 Leadership Transition
Andrei Nikitin, newly appointed acting minister, stated that the ministry would now prioritise:
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Modernising transport infrastructure
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Digitising logistics networks
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Strengthening cross-border supply chains
📰 What’s Next?
An official forensic and criminal investigation is underway to clarify:
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Whether Starovoyt died by suicide or foul play.
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Possible links between his dismissal, recent drone attacks, and corruption investigations.