By Olivier Acuña Barba •
Published: 07 Jul 2025 • 22:37
• 2 minutes read
Russian President Vladimir Putin is pictured meeting Roman Starovoit on January 30, 2025 in the Kremlin | Credit: Kremlin
Allegedly fired by Vladimir Putin on suspicion of corruption, Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit died by suicide on Monday, several news outlets reported. However, the circumstances of his death are still being investigated, while one version says he committed suicide before being fired.
The Russian president dismissed Starovoit on Monday morning, and a few hours later was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot, CNN reported.
The Kremlin website published the official statement announcing the transport minister’s dismissal. The same press release announced that his deputy, Andrey Nikitin, had been appointed acting minister, CNN added. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied this was due to a “lack of trust,” but he did not offer any alternative reason during a meeting with the news reporters.
‘Main theory is suicide’
In a separate statement, the Investigative Committee of Russia informed that Starovoit’s body had been found inside a car in Odintsovo, a suburb of Moscow. His body presented a gunshot wound, the committee added. However, it stated that the circumstances of his death were under investigation. But according to Kremlin-controlled media, Starovoit was found dead with a gunshot wound in Odintsovo near Moscow. Officials said they believe it was a suicide.
Adding to the mystery, Russian media outlet RTVI said one lawmaker has stated that Starovoit’s death may have occurred before President Putin sacked him.
“The circumstances of the incident are being established. The main version is suicide,” Russia’s Investigative Committee Official Svetlana Petrenko said in a statement, as speculation swirled in Moscow.
On Monday, Russian media also reported that the former transport minister was a person of interest in an investigation into the embezzlement of state funds intended for building fortifications in the Kursk region.
The alleged embezzlement has been cited as one of the reasons for deficiencies in Russia’s defensive lines that failed to halt a surprise Ukrainian incursion in the region launched in August 2024, the AP reported.
‘Staravoit: Accountable for humiliating blow?’
In the stunning attack, Ukraine’s battle-hardened mechanised units quickly overwhelmed lightly armed Russian border guards and inexperienced army conscripts. Hundreds were taken prisoner. The attack resulted in a humiliating blow to the Kremlin and was also the first time the country’s territory was occupied by an invader since World War II.
Vesti, a state TV program, as well as RBC, a Russian independent business media outlet, and the Russian business daily newspaper Kommersant, reported that he was being investigated. Kommersant reported that Starovoit was facing arrest.
Alexei Smirnov, Starovoit’s predecessor in the Kursk governor role and who had previously served as his deputy, was arrested in connection with the same fraud case in April this year, according to a Moscow court.
