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Former Transport Minister Dies in Apparent Suicide
Roman Starovojt, Russia's recently dismissed Transport Minister, was found dead in his car in Moscow with a gunshot wound. The 53-year-old official had been removed from his position by President Vladimir Putin earlier the same day. Russian prosecutors have stated they believe Starovojt died by suicide.
Sudden Downfall and Death
Starovojt, a member of Putin's United Russia party, served as Transport Minister since 2024 after a five-year tenure as governor of the Kursk region. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the dismissal but denied it indicated presidential distrust. Just hours after his removal, Starovojt was discovered deceased in his vehicle.
Kursk Corruption Connection
Russian media sources speculate the dismissal relates to Starovojt's governance of Kursk during Ukraine's 2024 summer incursion. Investigations suggest possible embezzlement of defense funds intended for fortifications along the Ukrainian border. Starovojt's successor as Kursk governor, Alexei Smirnov, was arrested for corruption in December 2024 and currently faces prosecution.
Military Context and Implications
Russia correspondent Geert Groot Koerkamp notes the Kursk region became a focal point when Ukrainian forces unexpectedly penetrated Russian defenses last year. The invasion continued for months before Russian forces, bolstered by North Korean troops, eventually repelled Ukrainian soldiers after sustaining significant casualties. The ongoing corruption investigations into Kursk's defensive preparations may have created intolerable pressure for Starovojt.
