Former Russian transport minister Roman Starovoyt was found dead in an apparent suicide just hours after being dismissed by President Putin, as Russia grapples with corruption allegations and major aviation disruptions caused by Ukrainian drone strikes.
At a Glance
- Starovoyt was dismissed Monday in a Kremlin decree, then died by a gunshot wound in his car hours later.
- Russia’s Investigative Committee labeled his death an apparent suicide and launched a criminal inquiry.
- He faced claims of embezzling over 1 billion roubles tied to Kursk region defense spending.
- Major Russian airports experienced hundreds of canceled flights after drone attacks over the weekend.
- His deputy, Andrei Nikitin, was appointed acting transport minister following the incident.
Dismissal Preceded by Corruption Inquiry
Roman Starovoyt, 53, was removed from his post via presidential decree earlier Monday. Hours later, his body was discovered in his car with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to AP News. Investigators opened a criminal case, though suicide remains the primary conclusion. Starovoyt had previously served as governor of Kursk Oblast, where officials allege he misappropriated state funds designated for defensive fortifications—an allegation that gained traction following his removal, as noted by AP and the Financial Times.
Watch a report: Russian Minister Found Dead Hours After Dismissal
Aviation Chaos After Drone Raids
Starovoyt’s ouster followed a weekend of widespread air traffic disruption across Russia due to Ukrainian drone strikes. Nearly 500 flights were canceled and over 1,900 delayed at key airports including Moscow and St. Petersburg, according to the Financial Times. Russia’s civil aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, acknowledged emergency reroutings and airspace closures. Though no official link has been drawn, the cascading crises compounded pressure on the transport ministry.
Death Adds to Pattern of Suspicious Fatalities
Starovoyt’s sudden death is the latest in a string of high-profile Russian fatalities since 2022. A growing public registry documents dozens of suspicious or politically linked deaths among government, business, and defense elites. Analysts suggest a toxic climate of corruption probes, wartime failures, and internal rivalries is fueling instability within the Kremlin’s upper ranks.
President Putin has not commented. As state media offers only limited coverage, independent watchdogs are calling for transparency amid fears the Starovoyt case is part of a broader, more ominous pattern of elite silencing.