Chaos Unfolds in Kremlin: Ex-Minister Found Dead After Dismissal

In what appears to be a dark chapter in Russian politics, the mysterious death of ex-transport minister Roman Starovoit raises questions amid chaos and corruption.

Roman Starovoit, who had been serving as Russia's transport minister since May 2024, was found dead from what is reported to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Russia's Investigative Committee. His dismissal by President Vladimir Putin on the same day marks an unsettling coincidence, with no official reason provided for his termination. Andrei Nikitin, the deputy transport minister, was swiftly named as Starovoit's replacement.

Investigators are working to clarify the circumstances surrounding Starovoit's death, which comes in the wake of significant political turbulence following Ukraine’s seizure of parts of the Kursk region—where Starovoit served as governor for nearly a decade—during a surprise offensive in August 2024. Though Moscow ultimately managed to reclaim control over the territory, reports reveal Ukrainian forces still hold a small enclave inside Russian borders.

Adding to the tension, Starovoit's former successor, Aleksey Smirnov, was arrested for alleged embezzlement linked to defense infrastructure spending, and sources suggest Starovoit was set to be implicated in similar charges. The exact time of Starovoit's death remains unclear, yet officials have hinted at a more extended timeline, with Andrei Kartapolov, chair of the State Duma Defense Committee, indicating that the tragedy may have occurred "quite a while ago."

Earlier in the day of his death, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dodged questions about Starovoit’s dismissal, suggesting there was no indication of a "loss of trust" according to Kremlin language in the decree. As the situation unfolds, the Kremlin faces intense scrutiny regarding its handling of internal affairs and accountability.