Tragic End for a Dismissed Official
In a shocking turn of events, Roman Starovoit, Russia's recently sacked transport minister, was found dead in his car outside Moscow on July 7. State investigators reported that he had a gunshot wound, and their primary hypothesis is that he took his own life. This grim discovery came just hours after President Vladimir Putin dismissed him from his position, a role he had held for barely a year.
The timing of Starovoit's death has raised eyebrows, as a presidential decree announcing his dismissal was published earlier that same day. No official reason for his firing was provided in the decree, leaving room for speculation about the circumstances surrounding both his dismissal and subsequent death. His body was discovered in a vehicle parked in Odintsovo, a neighborhood west of Moscow known for housing members of Russia's elite.
Background of Dismissal and Corruption Allegations
Starovoit's tenure as transport minister was marred by challenges, including recent Ukrainian drone attacks that severely disrupted Russia's aviation sector over the weekend prior to his death. These incidents may have contributed to the pressure on his position, though no direct link has been confirmed by officials. Political analysts have suggested that his dismissal could be tied to an ongoing investigation into corruption from his time as governor of the Kursk region, a role he held before becoming transport minister.
Posts found on social media platform X have echoed these speculations, with some users claiming Starovoit embezzled over $10 million from the military budget for anti-tank defenses known as 'dragon's teeth' during his governorship in Kursk. While these claims remain unverified by official sources, they add to the cloud of suspicion surrounding his sudden exit from office and tragic end. A transport industry source indicated that Starovoit's position had been under scrutiny for months due to questions related to this alleged corruption scandal.
Investigation and Public Reaction
Russia's Investigative Committee, the country's top criminal investigation agency, is handling the case of Starovoit's death. Their initial findings point to suicide as the likely cause, though further details about the investigation have not been disclosed to the public. The fact that his death occurred on the same day as his dismissal has fueled intense discussion and speculation among observers both within Russia and internationally.
The rapid sequence of events—his firing by presidential decree in the morning and the discovery of his body later that day—has left many questions unanswered. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on uncovering whether personal, professional, or political pressures played a role in this tragic outcome for the former minister.