Roman Starovoyt, Russia’s former Transport Minister, has been found dead in an apparent suicide just hours after President Vladimir Putin dismissed him from office. The 53-year-old was discovered with a gunshot wound in his private vehicle in Odintsovo, a suburb of Moscow, the country’s Investigative Committee confirmed on Monday.
Starovoyt had served as transport minister for just one year following his tenure as the governor of the Kursk region, a volatile border zone frequently targeted in Ukraine’s counteroffensive. His sudden death comes amid an intensified anti-corruption crackdown targeting officials involved in the Ukraine conflict.
“Today, the body of former Transport Minister Roman Starovoyt was found in his private car with a gunshot wound,” the Investigative Committee stated. “The main version (considered) is suicide.”
Police were seen at the parking lot near apartment buildings where the incident occurred. According to Russian state media, Starovoyt is believed to have shot himself inside his vehicle, although it remains unclear exactly when the act occurred.
Earlier on Monday, the Kremlin released a terse decree signed by President Putin announcing Starovoyt’s removal from office. The document offered no explanation beyond stating that he had been “relieved of the post of Minister of Transport.”
State media outlets have linked his dismissal to a possible corruption scandal involving misappropriation of federal funds earmarked for defense infrastructure in the Kursk region. Notably, Alexei Smirnov, Starovoyt’s successor as governor, was arrested in April for allegedly embezzling over $12 million. Reports suggest Smirnov may have implicated Starovoyt during investigations.
While Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov insisted the dismissal was “not linked to a loss of trust,” the timing has fueled speculation. The government has yet to officially comment on the circumstances surrounding Starovoyt’s death.
President Putin has already named Andrei Nikitin, one of Starovoyt’s deputies, as acting transport minister. His appointment is expected to be confirmed by the State Duma on Tuesday.
Starovoyt, a native of Kursk, was a visible figure during Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine and regularly appeared alongside Putin during official engagements.
His death adds to growing scrutiny of corruption among Russia’s political and military elite, especially concerning defense spending and border security during the prolonged war effort.
