Former Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoyt was found dead in his car with a gunshot wound just hours after he was removed from his position by President Vladimir Putin.
Possible Suicide
Russian investigators believe Starovoyt may have taken his own life. His body was discovered in a suburb of Moscow on Monday, July 7, shortly after news of his dismissal became public. Officials are still looking into the exact details, but the main theory is suicide, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee.
Why Was He Removed?
Although the official reason for his removal wasn’t stated, experts suggest it may be related to a corruption investigation in the Kursk region, where Starovoyt was previously the governor. Reports claim that funds meant to secure Russia’s border with Ukraine were possibly misused.
Transportation Issues in Russia
His removal also came at a time when Russia’s transportation sector is under stress. Over the weekend, Ukrainian drone attacks caused flight delays and cancellations. There was also a chemical leak from an explosion at a port in Leningrad, adding to the sector’s troubles.
Starovoyt’s Background
Roman Starovoyt was appointed as the Transport Minister in May 2024. Before that, he served as the governor of Kursk region for almost five years.
New Transport Minister Appointed
After Starovoyt’s death, Deputy Minister Andrei Nikitin has been named as the acting Transport Minister of Russia.
