Russia’s Transport Minister Roman Starovoit Dies by Suicide After Resignation

On July 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Minister of Transport Roman Starovoit, a former governor of Kursk Oblast, Orda.kz reports.

Later the same day, Starovoit committed suicide, according to available reports.

Russia’s Investigative Committee has stated that Starovoit’s body was discovered with a gunshot wound inside his personal vehicle in Odintsovo, a town outside Moscow.

The body of former Transport Minister of the Russian Federation Roman Vladimirovich Starovoit was found with a gunshot wound,
 the Investigative Committee confirmed, adding that an inquiry into the circumstances is underway.

Starovoit served as transport minister from May 2024 until July 7, 2025. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that his resignation was not due to a loss of confidence.

Starovoit’s departure is linked to an ongoing corruption investigation in Kursk Oblast. Several suspects, including his successor, reportedly named Starovoit in their testimony, though no formal charges had been brought against him.

In recent weeks, Russia has faced mounting transport issues, including widespread flight delays and cancellations. Starovoit had also been involved in cross-border talks with Kazakhstan’s then-Transport Minister Marat Karabayev, who was also recently dismissed.

The discussions focused on joint railway infrastructure projects and cooperation under the North–South international transport corridor.

Andrei Nikitin, the former governor of Novgorod Oblast, has been appointed Russia’s new Minister of Transport.

Original Author: Alexandra Mokhireva