Mystery Surrounds Death of Russia’s Ex-Transport Minister Found Shot Outside Moscow

Russia’s former transport minister was found dead in his car outside Moscow with a gunshot wound, and state investigators believe he may have taken his own life, officials reported Monday, just hours after President Vladimir Putin dismissed him.

A presidential decree issued earlier on Monday provided no explanation for the dismissal of Roman Starovoit, 53, who had held the position for barely a year. Political analysts, however, quickly suggested that his removal might be connected to an ongoing corruption investigation in the region he previously governed.

Reuters could not independently verify these claims. However, a source in the transport industry, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation, indicated that Starovoit’s position had been precarious for months due to questions surrounding the corruption scandal.

The investigation centers on whether 19.4 billion rubles (246 million USD) allocated in 2022 for fortifying Russia’s border with Ukraine in the Kursk region was properly spent or if some of those funds were embezzled.

Russia’s Investigative Committee, responsible for probing major crimes, stated that it is working to establish the exact circumstances of Starovoit’s death.

Several Russian media outlets, citing law enforcement sources, reported that a pistol belonging to Starovoit, who was divorced with two daughters, was found near his body.

Some reports, also citing law enforcement sources, claimed that his body was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head in bushes near his Tesla, rather than inside the vehicle itself.

The car was parked near a park not far from his home in the Moscow region.

Prior to his appointment as transport minister in May 2024, Starovoit had served as governor of the Kursk region for nearly five years.

Three months after he assumed the role of transport minister, Ukrainian troops crossed the border into Kursk in the largest foreign incursion into Russian territory since World War II. They were only pushed back earlier this year after fierce fighting and widespread destruction.

In April, Starovoit’s successor as governor and former deputy, Alexei Smirnov, was charged with embezzling funds earmarked for defense purposes. Accusations surfaced that money intended for border defenses had been stolen, leaving Kursk more vulnerable to Ukrainian attacks.

Multiple Russian media outlets reported on Monday that Smirnov had allegedly told state investigators that Starovoit was also involved in the fraud scheme.

Reuters could not confirm this claim, and a lawyer for Smirnov – who has pleaded not guilty to embezzlement – told the state RIA news agency that he couldn’t comment on the matter.

Starovoit’s dismissal comes at a time of significant challenges for Russia’s transport sector as the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year.

Russia’s aviation industry is grappling with a shortage of spare parts, while Russian Railways, the country’s largest employer, faces soaring interest costs as high rates – implemented to curb inflation exacerbated by the war – take their toll.

Long-range Ukrainian drones frequently force Russian airports to suspend operations for safety reasons, often causing major disruptions.

The Kremlin announced that Andrei Nikitin, a former governor of the Novgorod region, has been appointed acting transport minister. Photos were released showing him shaking hands with Putin in the Kremlin.

When questioned about Nikitin’s swift appointment, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin believed Nikitin possessed the necessary professional qualities and experience for the role.

The Transport Ministry declined to comment on the situation.

During his meeting with Putin, Nikitin discussed plans to digitize Russia’s transport industry to reduce cargo bottlenecks and ensure smoother cross-border flows of goods. (Reuters)