Roman Starovoit, the former Russian Transport Minister, reportedly took his own life on Monday, mere hours following his dismissal by President Vladimir Putin, according to official sources.
On Monday morning, Putin dismissed Starovoit from his position. The official Kremlin website has published a decree confirming his dismissal, with Andrey Nikitin now serving as the acting minister.
In response to enquiries from the press regarding the dismissal of Starovoit, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refuted claims that it stemmed from a “lack of trust,” yet he did not provide any other explanation.
On Tuesday, Peskov addressed journalists, expressing that the Kremlin was “shocked” by the news of Staravoit’s death, which he characterised as “tragic and sorrowful.”
“This is bound to shock any reasonable individual.” “It certainly took us by surprise,” he remarked.
“An investigation is currently in progress to address all inquiries.” As the situation unfolds, it is advisable to leave speculation to media outlets and political analysts, as it would be deemed inappropriate for us to engage in such discussions.
According to a statement from the Investigative Committee of Russia, the body of Starovoit was discovered inside a vehicle in Odintsovo, a suburb located near Moscow. The committee reported that he was found with a gunshot wound. Authorities have announced that they are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, with the primary theory suggesting suicide.
On Monday, the Transport Ministry reported the death of another official, Andrey Korneichuk, aged 42, who the Federal Agency for Rail Transport employed. Reports from Russian state media indicate that Korneichuk passed away at his place of employment, with initial assessments suggesting “acute heart failure” as a potential cause. The evidence does not indicate a connection between the deaths.
Before he was appointed a minister in May 2024, Starovoit held the position of governor in the southern Russian region of Kursk. Although he departed from his position before Ukraine’s unexpected incursion, he faced some accountability for security lapses in the Russian region.
On Monday, Russian media reported that Starovoit is under investigation for allegedly embezzling state funds designated for the construction of fortifications in the region. Reports from Vesti, a state television program, along with RBC, an independent business media outlet, and the daily newspaper Kommersant, indicate that he is currently under investigation. Kommersant reported that Starovoit is facing the possibility of arrest.
According to a Moscow court, Alexei Smirnov, who previously served as Starovoit’s deputy before assuming the role of Kursk governor, was arrested in connection with the same case in April of this year.
The termination occurred during a prolonged interruption of air travel across Russia. The Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport said 485 flights were cancelled, 88 were diverted, and 1,900 were delayed over the weekend and into Monday.
The agency attributed the cancellations to “external interference”, though it did not provide any further details. The Russian Defence Ministry reported that over 400 long-range strikes launched by Ukraine were intercepted during the corresponding timeframe.
The Ukrainian military reported that it targeted a chemical plant located in Krasnozavodsk, north of Moscow, early on Monday morning. The report indicated that the facility produces “pyrotechnic devices and ammunition, including thermobaric warheads for Shahed-type” drones.
