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Tragic Death of Former Russian Transport Minister
In a shocking turn of events, Roman Starovoit, the recently ousted transport minister of Russia, was discovered dead in his car near Moscow, suffering from a gunshot wound. Authorities suggest the leading theory is suicide, following his dismissal by President Vladimir Putin just hours prior.
A presidential order issued earlier in the day did not provide reasons for the termination of the 53-year-old Starovoit, who had held the position for less than a year. However, political analysts speculate that his removal may be linked to a corruption investigation involving the region he previously governed.
Although Reuters has not verified these claims independently, a source within the transportation sector, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation, indicated that Starovoit’s job security had been in jeopardy for months due to scrutiny relating to the corruption scandal.
The investigation focuses on whether 19.4 billion rubles (approximately $246 million), allocated in 2022 to strengthen Russia’s border with Ukraine in the Kursk region, was mismanaged or if some funds were siphoned off.
The Investigative Committee of Russia stated it is actively looking into the circumstances surrounding Starovoit’s death. Reports from various Russian media outlets, citing law enforcement sources, mentioned that a firearm belonging to him was found near his body, which was discovered in the foliage next to his Tesla, rather than inside the vehicle itself. The car was parked not far from his residence in the Moscow area.
Prior to his appointment as transport minister in May 2024, Starovoit had served as the governor of the Kursk region for nearly five years. His tenure as minister coincided with a significant escalation in conflicts along the border, highlighted by Ukrainian forces crossing into Kursk, marking the largest foreign incursion into Russian territory since World War II. They were only expelled earlier this year after severe confrontations and extensive destruction.
In a related note, Starovoit’s successor as governor, Alexei Smirnov, has faced charges of embezzling defense funds, with allegations that money earmarked for border security had been misappropriated, leaving Kursk vulnerable to attacks from Ukraine. Media reports suggest Smirnov has implicated Starovoit in these fraudulent activities, an assertion that remains unverified. A lawyer representing Smirnov, who pleads not guilty to the charges, stated he could not comment on the ongoing investigation.
Transport Sector Challenges
Starovoit’s dismissal arrives as the Russian transport sector grapples with significant challenges amid the prolonged conflict in Ukraine. The aviation industry is facing shortages of spare parts, while Russian Railways, the nation’s largest employer, is struggling with rising interest rates that have intensified financial pressures.
Moreover, incursions by long-range Ukrainian drones frequently compel Russian airports to halt operations for safety reasons, leading to major disruptions in services.
In the wake of the turmoil, the Kremlin appointed Andrei Nikitin, a former governor from the Novgorod region, as the acting transport minister, releasing photographs of him in a handshake with Putin at the Kremlin. When asked about the prompt appointment, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked that Putin believed Nikitin possessed the necessary professional skills and experience for the role.
The transport ministry did not offer any comments on the situation. During his introductory meeting with Putin, Nikitin emphasized the need to digitize Russia’s transport sector to alleviate cargo delays and optimize cross-border trade.
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