Authorities are treating the incident as a possible suicide following recent turmoil related to the Ukraine invasion.
Russian Transport Minister, Former Kursk Governor Found Dead Under Mysterious Circumstances

Russian Transport Minister, Former Kursk Governor Found Dead Under Mysterious Circumstances
Roman V. Starovoyt's death comes shortly after being relieved of his ministerial duties amid investigations into embezzlement in the Kursk region.
On Monday, Russian Transport Minister Roman V. Starovoyt was discovered dead in his car, having suffered a gunshot wound, raising many questions just hours after he was dismissed from his position. Starovoyt, who had governed the Kursk region—an area adjacent to Ukraine—for six and a half years prior to taking on ministerial responsibilities in May 2024, was found in Odintsovo, a well-off suburb of Moscow.
The investigation into his death is currently being treated as a possible suicide, according to Russian law enforcement. His appointment as transport minister followed a tumultuous period marked by Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk region. The conflict escalated earlier this year, leading to a significant portion of Russian territory being occupied by Ukrainian forces, an unprecedented violation since World War II. Such events sparked considerable embarrassment for President Vladimir Putin and led to growing domestic discontent.
In the wake of the invasion, Russian authorities have taken action against several former officials in the Kursk region, who are accused of misappropriating funds intended for strengthening the border defenses during Starovoyt's tenure as governor. His successor in the regional government, Aleksei B. Smirnov, has also been arrested under similar allegations.
Svetlana Petrenko, a spokesperson for Russia's Investigative Committee, confirmed Starovoyt's death and said that efforts are underway to ascertain the details surrounding the situation. The Kremlin swiftly responded to the unfolding circumstances by issuing a decree relieving Starovoyt of his ministerial duties, followed by an appointment of his successor, Andrei S. Nikitin, earlier in the day. The Kremlin has remained silent regarding the implications of Starovoyt's death.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to mental health resources available, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
The investigation into his death is currently being treated as a possible suicide, according to Russian law enforcement. His appointment as transport minister followed a tumultuous period marked by Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk region. The conflict escalated earlier this year, leading to a significant portion of Russian territory being occupied by Ukrainian forces, an unprecedented violation since World War II. Such events sparked considerable embarrassment for President Vladimir Putin and led to growing domestic discontent.
In the wake of the invasion, Russian authorities have taken action against several former officials in the Kursk region, who are accused of misappropriating funds intended for strengthening the border defenses during Starovoyt's tenure as governor. His successor in the regional government, Aleksei B. Smirnov, has also been arrested under similar allegations.
Svetlana Petrenko, a spokesperson for Russia's Investigative Committee, confirmed Starovoyt's death and said that efforts are underway to ascertain the details surrounding the situation. The Kremlin swiftly responded to the unfolding circumstances by issuing a decree relieving Starovoyt of his ministerial duties, followed by an appointment of his successor, Andrei S. Nikitin, earlier in the day. The Kremlin has remained silent regarding the implications of Starovoyt's death.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to mental health resources available, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.