Key Facts
• July 7, 2025: Roman Starovoit, former Russian transport minister, found dead.
• Cause of death suspected to be suicide by gunshot.
• Starovoit was dismissed by President Vladimir Putin on the same day.
• No official reason provided for his dismissal.
• Andrei Nikitin, deputy transport minister, appointed as his successor.
• Starovoit served as transport minister since May 2024 and was previously governor of Kursk region for six years.
• Kursk region faced Ukrainian military attacks in August 2024, with parts temporarily occupied.
• Starovoit’s successor as governor, Alexei Smirnov, was arrested in April 2025 for embezzlement.
• Reports suggest Starovoit was likely to face charges in the same embezzlement case.
• Death date remains unclear; officials suggest it occurred “some time ago.”
• Kremlin denies claims that Starovoit’s dismissal was due to loss of trust by Putin.
Summary
Roman Starovoit, Russia’s former transport minister, was found dead on July 7, 2025, with authorities suspecting suicide by gunshot. His death coincided with his dismissal by President Vladimir Putin, though no official reason for the dismissal was disclosed. Starovoit, who had served as transport minister since May 2024 and previously governed the Kursk region for six years, was reportedly under investigation for embezzlement linked to his successor’s arrest. The Kursk region had faced significant conflict, including Ukrainian military attacks in 2024. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied allegations that Starovoit’s dismissal stemmed from a loss of trust by Putin. Investigations into the circumstances of his death are ongoing.
