The sudden death of Roman Starovoit, Russia’s former Minister of Transport, has sparked a wave of speculation both within Russia and abroad. Found dead from a gunshot wound just hours after being dismissed by President Vladimir Putin, his passing raises questions not only about the circumstances of his death but also about the inner workings of Russian politics.
Who was Roman Starovoit and how did his political career evolve?
Roman Vladimirovich Starovoit, born on January 20, 1972, in the city of Kursk, was a seasoned Russian politician with a long and complex career in both regional and federal government. Starovoit held various influential positions within Russia’s transport and infrastructure sectors, rising to become a trusted figure in President Vladimir Putin’s administration.
After completing his degree in “Pulse Heat Engines” from the D.F. Ustinov Baltic State Technical University in 1995, Starovoit quickly transitioned into the private sector. He worked as an executive in investment and construction companies, including Stroyinvest, before moving into public service.
Between 2005 and 2010, Starovoit served in St. Petersburg’s city government, overseeing investment and strategic projects, a role that positioned him as a rising technocrat. His work caught the attention of federal authorities, and by 2012, he was appointed head of the Federal Road Agency (Rosavtodor), a key institution responsible for Russia’s vast transport infrastructure.
In 2018, Starovoit briefly served as Deputy Minister of Transport, and later that year, he was named acting governor of Kursk Oblast following the resignation of Alexander Mikhailov. He won the 2019 gubernatorial election with a commanding 81% of the vote and held the post until 2024.
His final appointment came in May 2024, when Putin made him Minister of Transport, a role he held until his abrupt dismissal on July 7, 2025.
Why was Roman Starovoit dismissed from office?
The Kremlin issued a terse statement on the morning of July 7, 2025, announcing Starovoit’s removal from his ministerial post. The official decree, signed by Vladimir Putin, provided no explanation for the decision. While dismissals of high-ranking officials are not uncommon in Russia, the timing and lack of transparency fueled speculation about internal disputes or potential criminal investigations.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, insisted that Starovoit’s dismissal was not linked to a “lack of trust” but declined to offer further details. However, reports quickly emerged that Starovoit may have been under investigation in connection with a major corruption scandal in the Kursk region.
Was Starovoit implicated in the Kursk corruption scandal?
During Starovoit’s tenure as governor of Kursk, he oversaw the construction of defensive fortifications along the region’s border with Ukraine, following Russia’s 2022 invasion. However, in 2024, his successor, Alexei Smirnov, was arrested on charges of embezzling over 1 billion rubles (approximately £10 million) in federal funds earmarked for regional defense.
Russian business daily Kommersant reported that several officials implicated in the embezzlement case had provided testimony against Starovoit, suggesting that criminal charges against him were imminent. Though not officially confirmed by investigators, Russian media outlets widely reported that Starovoit faced the possibility of arrest and prosecution.
The prospect of legal action is seen by many analysts as a critical factor contributing to his downfall and, ultimately, his death.
How and where did Roman Starovoit die?
Starovoit’s body was discovered inside his car in Malevich Park, near the village of Razdory in Moscow’s Odintsovo District. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A Makarov pistol, reportedly awarded to him in 2003 for his contributions to public safety, was found at the scene.
Intriguingly, Russian media outlets, including Forbes Russia, suggested that Starovoit may have died as early as Friday, July 4, 2025—days before the official dismissal order was published. Andrei Kartapolov, a State Duma member, further fueled suspicions by stating that Starovoit had been dead for “quite some time” before the public announcement.
Is there a connection to other recent deaths in the Russian transport sector?
On the same day Starovoit’s death was made public, Andrei Korneichuk, a senior official at Russia’s federal roads agency, died of an apparent heart attack at work. While authorities have not drawn a direct connection between the two deaths, the timing has fueled conspiracy theories about a broader shakeup or purge within Russia’s transport sector.
The Kremlin’s announcement of Starovoit’s dismissal coincided with severe disruptions across Russia’s transport infrastructure, following a weekend of Ukrainian drone attacks. Nearly 500 flights were canceled, and 1,500 delayed, as drone strikes targeted transport hubs, leaving travelers stranded in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
