The tragic death of Roman Starovoit, Russia’s transport minister, has been attributed to a suspected suicide, occurring shortly after his dismissal by President Vladimir Putin. Starovoit, who had been in office since May 2024, was found with a gunshot wound inside his car in Odintsovo, an affluent area near Moscow. Notably, a gun previously given to him as an official gift was discovered alongside his body, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Russian investigative authorities have launched a criminal probe, focusing primarily on suicide as the likely cause. However, speculation about the reasons for his dismissal looms large, particularly in relation to allegations of embezzlement tied to state funding for infrastructure projects in the Kursk region, where Starovoit served as governor prior to his ministerial role. This alleged misappropriation is said to have contributed to deficiencies in Russia’s defence capabilities, which became evident during a significant Ukrainian military incursion that resulted in the occupation of Russian territory—a first since World War II.
Starovoit was reportedly last seen publicly the day before his death, receiving reports in an official video. His abrupt dismissal, combined with ongoing corruption investigations into former officials, has led to rampant speculation regarding the motives behind his firing. Furthermore, the weekend preceding his dismissal saw chaos in air travel due to Ukrainian drone strikes, though analysts suggest this factor likely played little role in his removal.
In the wake of Starovoit’s death, other issues of high-level corruption within the Russian military have come to light. This includes the recent conviction of Khalil Arslanov, a former high-ranking military official, on corruption charges, and the arrest of Viktor Strigunov, a former National Guard leader, also on corruption-related charges.
The Kremlin issued Starovoit’s dismissal without providing details, and shortly thereafter, officials publicly emphasised the positive qualities of his successor, Andrei Nikitin. With high-profile cases of corruption continuing to emerge, it is clear that scrutiny into internal failings within the Russian government is intensifying, particularly as the nation grapples with the ramifications of its ongoing military conflicts.