Roman Starovoit, who briefly served as Russia’s Transport Minister, died by suicide on Monday, only hours after President Vladimir Putin removed him from his post, according to official statements.
The Kremlin published a presidential decree on Monday morning confirming Starovoit’s dismissal. Andrey Nikitin, his deputy, has since assumed the role of acting minister.
When asked about the sudden decision to remove Starovoit, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters the dismissal was not linked to a “lack of trust.” However, he did not offer further clarification or disclose other reasons.
Later the same day, Russia’s Investigative Committee confirmed that Starovoit was found dead inside a vehicle in Odintsovo, a suburb near Moscow. Authorities stated that he had sustained a gunshot wound, and while the investigation is ongoing, the “main theory is suicide.”
Starovoit had been appointed transport minister in May 2024. Before that, he served as governor of the Kursk region in southern Russia. Though he resigned prior to Ukraine’s unexpected military action in the region, he was reportedly blamed in part for shortcomings in regional defense.
On Monday, several Russian media outlets, including the state-run Vesti program, independent outlet RBC, and the newspaper Kommersant, reported that Starovoit had been implicated in a criminal investigation concerning the alleged embezzlement of government funds designated for building defensive structures in Kursk.
Kommersant additionally reported that Starovoit was facing imminent arrest in connection with the case.
In April, a Moscow court confirmed the arrest of Alexei Smirnov, Starovoit’s former deputy and successor as governor of Kursk, who was also linked to the same investigation.
Starovoit’s dismissal came at a time when Russia’s aviation system was experiencing significant disruptions.
Between the weekend and Monday, the Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport reported the cancellation of 485 flights, the diversion of 88, and delays affecting more than 1,900 flights. The agency attributed the disturbances to “external interference,” though no further details were disclosed.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced it had intercepted over 400 long-range Ukrainian attacks during the same period.
Ukraine’s military claimed responsibility for a strike early Monday on a chemical plant in Krasnozavodsk, north of Moscow. Ukrainian officials stated that the facility was involved in producing “pyrotechnic devices and ammunition, including thermobaric warheads for Shahed-type” drones.
