🇷🇺💀 Russian Transport Minister Found Dead in Apparent Suicide After Sudden Dismissal
Roman Starovoit, 53, was found dead from a gunshot wound in his car in Odintsovo, a suburb of Moscow, just hours after President Vladimir Putin removed him from office. Authorities say the leading theory is suicide, reportedly carried out using an honorary firearm awarded to him by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 2023.
Russian media allege Starovoit was involved in the embezzlement of over 1 billion rubles (approximately $12 million) intended for military fortifications in Kursk, where he previously served as governor. The defenses collapsed during a Ukrainian incursion in August 2024 — the first foreign invasion of Russian territory since World War II.
His successor, Alexei Smirnov, was arrested earlier this year and is said to have testified against Starovoit. The broader scandal involves multiple officials and a total expenditure of 15 billion rubles on failed fortifications.
Starovoit's firing came amid renewed instability: a wave of Ukrainian drone strikes over the weekend led to the cancellation of 485 flights and delays for nearly 2,000 others. The Kremlin gave no official reason for his dismissal and denied it was due to a "loss of confidence."
Adding to the mystery, some reports claim Starovoit may have died before the public announcement of his dismissal. On the same day, another official from his ministry reportedly died of a heart attack during a meeting.
Putin’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign appears to be tightening — with increasingly deadly consequences.