Roman Starovoit, recently relieved of his duties as Russia’s transport minister, was found dead from a gunshot wound near his vehicle in the Moscow region, according to official reports released on Monday. Authorities indicated that preliminary findings suggest the possibility of suicide, though investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances.
Starovoit, 53, had held the ministerial role for just over a year and previously served as governor of the Kursk region for nearly five years. His dismissal was announced earlier the same day through a presidential decree that did not specify the reason for his removal.
Political analysts have suggested his departure may be linked to an ongoing investigation into the suspected misuse of government funds in the Kursk region. The inquiry focuses on whether 19.4 billion roubles (approximately $246 million), allocated in 2022 to reinforce the region’s border with Ukraine, were properly spent or partially misappropriated.
According to sources within the transport sector familiar with the matter, concerns about Starovoit’s involvement in the case had been circulating for several months. These claims remain unconfirmed, and no formal charges had been filed against him at the time of his death.
The Investigative Committee, which handles major criminal cases, stated it is examining all possible scenarios and gathering evidence related to the case. Russian media, citing law enforcement sources, reported that Starovoit’s body was discovered near his Tesla, which was parked by a park close to his home. A pistol registered in his name was reportedly found nearby.
Earlier this year, Starovoit’s former deputy and successor as Kursk governor, Alexei Smirnov, was charged with embezzling funds intended for regional defense projects. Some reports indicated that Smirnov may have implicated Starovoit during questioning, though these claims have not been independently verified. Smirnov has denied wrongdoing through his legal representatives.
The incident comes at a time of significant operational challenges for Russia’s transport sector. The aviation industry is managing shortages of spare parts, and the national railway system is dealing with rising costs driven by inflation and high interest rates. Additionally, drone activity linked to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has caused periodic disruptions at several airports.
Following Starovoit’s departure, Andrei Nikitin, the former governor of the Novgorod region, was appointed acting transport minister. The Kremlin released images of Nikitin meeting with the president, and a spokesperson stated that he was selected for his experience and qualifications in administrative leadership.
During his meeting, Nikitin outlined his priorities, including modernising the transport sector and improving logistics through digital innovation to ensure smoother cargo flows across Russia’s borders. The Ministry of Transport has not provided further comment on the situation.
