The Moscow Central Commission for Investigation reported on Monday that the Russian transport minister was recently fired by President Vladimir Putin and Roman Starovoit was found dead from gunshot wounds in a car.
“The situation of the incident is currently under investigation. The main theory is suicide,” said Svetlana Petrenko, spokesman for the Investigation Administration.
Russian media also reported that the 53-year-old politician allegedly fired a fire at his residence in Odintsovo, Moscow.
The decree issued in Moscow earlier Monday gave no reason why Starovoit, the former governor of western Russia, who was appointed as transport minister in May last year, left his post. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also did not provide a reason.
Starovoit's deputy, Andrey Nikitin, was appointed acting Minister of Transport.
Starovoit is the successor to Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov, who is in custody on suspicion of fraud.
Kursk is the place where Ukrainian troops occupied dozens of villages in a temporary but embarrassing blow to the Russian army last August.
Smirnov became the governor of Kursk in May 2024 but was forced to resign after the Ukrainian army invaded.
The case against Smirnov centers on this fact: funds for the construction of fortifications on the border with Ukraine were allegedly not spent properly.
These fortifications were built in 2022, when Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine.
As governor, Starovoit said the facilities were completed. To date, no investigation into Starovoit has been conducted.
Russian commentators also cited the chaos at Russian airports, which may be the reason for his dismissal. Hundreds of flights were cancelled mid-holiday due to frequent Ukrainian drone attacks.
The body of former Russian transport minister Roman Starovoit was found at the scene, and cars and employees who were serving safety were seen. According to the Russian Commission of Inquiry, the body of the Roman constellation was found in his car. Sergei Savostyanov/Tass by Zuma Press/DPA
