Russian Ex-Transport Minister Found Dead Hours After Dismissal by Putin

In a dramatic turn of events that has stunned the Russian political establishment, former Transport Minister Roman Starovoit was found dead from a gunshot wound just hours after President Vladimir Putin relieved him of his duties.

Starovoit, 53, was discovered inside a Tesla vehicle in the town of Odintsovo, near Moscow, with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, a pistol was found beside his body, and initial findings suggest that he died by suicide.

A full criminal investigation is now underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding his death.

The former minister’s death was reported on Monday, July 8, mere hours after the Kremlin issued an official decree announcing his dismissal. No explanation was provided for his removal from office, a move that has since sparked a wave of speculation among political observers and the Russian media.

Starovoit had previously served as the governor of Russia’s Kursk region before being appointed Transport Minister. His sudden dismissal and subsequent death come amid ongoing investigations into corruption within the Kursk administration.

Authorities recently arrested his former deputy, Alexei Smirnov, who is accused of embezzling nearly 20 billion rubles earmarked for border defense infrastructure.

While Starovoit had not been formally linked to the case, sources suggest that the investigation may have been closing in on him.

The backdrop to his firing also includes growing criticism of Russia’s transportation sector, particularly disruptions caused by recent Ukrainian drone strikes that have impacted flight operations across several regions.

Hundreds of flights were canceled in the weeks leading up to Starovoit’s dismissal, adding further pressure on his office.

Kremlin spokespersons have remained tight-lipped, declining to comment on the reasons for his dismissal or any possible connection between his firing and the ongoing corruption probe.

However, the timing of his death has fueled speculation and drawn comparisons to a growing list of high-profile Russian figures who have died under mysterious or suspicious circumstances since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Observers note that Starovoit’s death adds to a troubling pattern of political instability and internal purges within the Russian government.

Human rights advocates and opposition figures are calling for an independent investigation to ensure transparency and accountability.

As authorities continue to examine the circumstances of his death, questions linger over whether Starovoit’s fall was a result of personal distress, political retaliation, or a deeper crisis within the Kremlin’s inner circles. For now, the official narrative points to suicide—but many in Russia and beyond remain unconvinced.