Former Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit has been found dead in his personal car with a gunshot wound, just hours after he was sacked from his post by President Vladimir Putin, according to BBC.
Putin removed Starovoit from his post earlier on Monday and the reason for his dismissal was not given.
Currently, the Investigative Committee is intensifying its efforts to reveal the details of the incident.
The sacked minister had served as governor of the Kursk region for approximately six years before he became Russia’s Transport Minister in May 2024.
In April 2024, Starovoit’s successor as governor, Alexei Smirnov, was accused of embezzling money earmarked for defense purposes. Smirnov was also charged for stealing the funds allocated for the building of fortifications on the border with Ukraine.
Several Russian media outlets revealed that Smirnov had told state investigators that Starovoit had also been involved in the fraud.
Starovoit’s dismissal came in a crucial time as Russia’s transport sector is facing significant challenges due to the war with Ukraine.
The Kremlin appointed Andrei Nikitin, a former governor of the Novgorod region, as Acting Transport Minister, according to The Straits Times.
Meanwhile, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin believed that Nikitin had the professional qualities and required skills for the new position.
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