MOSCOW — Roman Vladimirovich Starovoyt, 53, Russia’s minister of transport until Monday morning, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a Tesla parked in Odintsovo, a suburb west of Moscow. The Russian Investigative Committee said suicide is the most likely cause, but a criminal inquiry has been launched to confirm the circumstances.
President Vladimir Putin unexpectedly dismissed Starovoyt by decree on the morning of July 7. The decree gave no reason for his firing. Later that day, State Duma-appointed Deputy Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin, former governor of Novgorod Oblast, was named acting minister. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov defended the move, stating, “At present, in the president’s opinion, Andrei Nikitin’s professional qualities and experience will best contribute to ensuring that this agency fulfils its tasks and functions.” Peskov emphasized that there was no mention of a “loss of trust” in Starovoyt in the decree, according to Anadolu.
State investigators reported that a handgun, reportedly awarded to Starovoyt in 2023, was found nearby. His body was located inside or beside his Tesla, with some reports suggesting he died in a nearby stand of bushes.
Mounting pressure on Starovoyt came largely from the severe strain on Russia’s transport network amid wartime conditions. With aviation facing critical spare‑parts shortages and railways squeezed by soaring interest rates, long‑range Ukrainian drone strikes had forced widespread flight cancellations, exacerbating the intensity of operational challenges his ministry confronted.
Officials in Moscow declined to confirm any formal charges or ongoing investigation against Starovoyt. Reuters noted that Starovoyt’s position had been under review for months, reflecting broader concerns over accountability in regional governance.
Starovoyt took the helm of the transport ministry in May 2024, having previously governed Kursk Oblast for nearly five years. His tenure as minister was marked by significant logistical pressure. Ukrainian drone attacks reportedly disrupted almost 500 flights and delayed over 1,500 others nationwide. The aviation sector struggled with sanctions-related shortages of spare parts, while Russian Railways faced steep financing challenges due to rising interest rates.
His death marks the first apparent suicide of a senior official in recent Russian political history. Analysts suggest that mounting scrutiny over corruption, combined with the operational strain of wartime infrastructure, might have placed unbearable pressure on Starovoyt. His passing follows a string of high-profile dismissals and sudden deaths in the upper echelons of government .
The investigative committee has vowed to release detailed findings, including ballistic and forensic evidence. In the interim, the Kremlin has emphasized the urgent need for stabilizing transport systems. Acting Minister Nikitin has already begun outlining efforts to digitize infrastructure and improve cargo flow, a critical task amid continued wartime disruption
