Vladimir Putin Fires Minister, Found Dead Hours Later
The sudden death of Roman Starovoit has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his dismissal and the potential implications for Russia's transport sector, which is already under significant pressure due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and Western sanctions.
Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit was found dead with a gunshot wound near his car, just hours after being sacked by President Vladimir Putin, sparking an investigation into the circumstances of his death.
The 53-year-old politician's body was discovered in the Moscow region, with a pistol registered in his name nearby. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of his death, with speculation surrounding the timing of his dismissal. Starovoit had been transport minister for just over a year and was previously governor of the Kursk region, where a corruption investigation is ongoing.
The incident has raised concerns about the state of Russia's transport sector, which is already facing wartime pressures and Western sanctions. Starovoit's successor, Alexei Smirnov, has been charged with embezzling defence funds, and reportedly told investigators that Starovoit was also involved. The Kremlin had not given a reason for Starovoit's dismissal, but his successor had been linked to a corruption case involving funds allocated for border fortifications with Ukraine.
The incident comes amid a multi-day disruption to air travel in Russia, with over 485 flights canceled, 88 diverted, and 1,900 delayed. The Russian Defense Ministry said that over 400 Ukrainian long-range strikes were intercepted during the same period. In Ukraine, at least 12 civilians were killed and over 90 injured in Russian attacks across the country, including a residential building, a kindergarten, and a commercial area in Kharkiv.
The investigation into Starovoit's death is ongoing, with the main theory being suicide. The incident has sparked concerns about the stability of Russia's government and the impact of the ongoing conflict with Ukraine on the country's political and economic systems.