Russia’s Ex-Transport Minister Roman Starovoit Found Dead
- Admin
- Jul 7
- 2 min read
Roman Starovoit, Russia’s former transport minister, has been found dead from a gunshot wound just hours after President Vladimir Putin dismissed him from his position. His body was discovered in his car in a Moscow suburb, with investigators indicating he appeared to have taken his own life.
The Kremlin released an official order, signed by Putin, removing Starovoit from office on the morning of July 7. However, Russian media reports suggest that Starovoit may have died days earlier, possibly as early as Friday evening, before the dismissal order was made public. Investigators have not yet confirmed the precise timeline of events. Andrei Kartapolov, a senior member of the State Duma, told reporters that Starovoit had passed away “quite some time ago.”
Starovoit, a significant figure in Russian politics, previously served as governor of the Kursk region from 2018 to 2024. During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of defensive fortifications along the border with Ukraine following Russia’s invasion. His successor was later arrested in a high-profile corruption scandal involving the alleged embezzlement of over 1 billion roubles (nearly £10 million) from federal funds meant for regional defense.
Reports from Kommersant, a respected Russian business newspaper, suggest that other officials implicated in the corruption case had provided testimony against Starovoit, potentially placing him under investigation. In Russia, it is not uncommon for senior officials who lose their positions and the political protection that comes with them to face legal scrutiny or criminal charges.
Starovoit was reportedly found with a Makarov pistol, an award he received in 2003 for his contributions to public safety while serving as governor. His death comes amid ongoing political turbulence and the backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine, which last year saw part of the Kursk region temporarily occupied by Ukrainian forces a major setback for the Kremlin.
The exact circumstances of Starovoit's death and the potential legal pressures he faced remain under investigation.
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