Russia says minister found dead hours after being fired by Putin died by suicide

Russia says minister found dead hours after being fired by Putin died by suicide

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Former Russian transport minister Roman StarovoytAlamy Stock Photo

Roman Starovoyt

Russia says minister found dead hours after being fired by Putin died by suicide

Russian state media and news agencies said Starovoyt shot himself.

3.32pm, 7 Jul 2025

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RUSSIA’S FORMER TRANSPORT minister Roman Starovoyt killed himself today just hours after being officially dismissed by President Vladimir Putin, the country’s Investigative Committee has said.

Authorities said Starovoyt’s body was found in a Moscow suburb after the firing was announced with “suicide” being considered as the most likely cause of death.

Starovoyt, who was 53, served as Russia’s transport minister since May 2024 last year. He was previously the governor of the Kursk region, where Russia had battled a Ukrainian incursion.

“Today, the body of former Transport Minister Roman Starovoyt was found in his private car with a gunshot wound in the Odintsovo district,” the Investigative Committee said in a statement.

“The main version (considered) is suicide,” it added.

Russian state media and news agencies said Starovoyt shot himself.

It was not clear exactly when Starovoyt died.

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President Vladimir Putin and his then transport minister Roman Starovoyt in January 2025Alamy Stock Photo

Alamy Stock Photo

Hours earlier, the Kremlin published a decree signed by Putin to relieve Starovoyt of his duties.

It only said: “Roman Starovoyt was relieved of the post of Minister of Transport.”

Starovoyt’s firing came after another weekend of travel chaos at Russian airports following Ukrainian drone attacks.

Russian state media also speculated the firing was linked to corruption in the Kursk region and a possible criminal case on the embezzlement of funds meant for fortifications in the border region.

Commenting on the firing, before Starovoyt’s death was announced, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was “not linked to a loss of trust”.

Shortly after the Kremlin announced the dismissal, Putin met with one of Starovoyt’s deputies, Andrei Nikitin, to appoint him as acting transport minister.

– © AFP 2025

If you are affected by issues mentioned in this article, support is available:

Samaritans- 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org (suicide, crisis support)

Text About It- text HELLO to 50808 (mental health issues)

Pieta House – 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444 – (suicide, self-harm)

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