Russian Transport Minister Dies by Suicide Hours After Putin Dismissal

Former Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit, 53, was found dead in an apparent suicide on Monday, just hours after President Vladimir Putin dismissed him from his post, according to Russian authorities. The Investigative Committee reported that Starovoit’s body was discovered inside a car in Odintsovo, a Moscow suburb, with a gunshot wound. The committee stated that the “main theory” is suicide, though an investigation into the circumstances is ongoing.

Starovoit’s dismissal was announced via a Kremlin decree on Monday morning, with no official reason provided. His deputy, Andrey Nikitin, was appointed acting minister. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied that the firing was due to a “lack of trust” but offered no alternative explanation. The timing of Starovoit’s death has fueled speculation, especially given recent travel disruptions caused by Ukrainian drone attacks, though analysts suggest these were unlikely to be the sole trigger.

• Russian Ex-Transport Minister Dies by Suicide Hours After Putin Dismissal
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Before his 14-month tenure as transport minister, Starovoit governed the Kursk region for nearly six years. His time as governor came under scrutiny following a Ukrainian incursion into Kursk in August 2024, the first foreign occupation of Russian territory since World War II. Russian authorities later arrested former Kursk officials, including Starovoit’s successor, on charges of embezzling over $12 million intended for border fortifications. Some media reports suggested Starovoit might have been implicated in the scandal, though no formal charges were confirmed.

The death adds to a series of high-profile Russian officials and businessmen who have died under suspicious circumstances since 2022, often labeled as suicides. Critics, including exiled Russian businessman Bill Browder, have alleged that such deaths may be orchestrated to silence dissent or enforce loyalty.

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Starovoit’s passing was acknowledged by the Russian Transport Ministry, which praised his “professional knowledge.” Meanwhile, Ukraine reported intensified Russian drone attacks on Monday, killing 11 civilians, underscoring the ongoing regional conflict.