Former Russian transport minister found dead after abrupt dismissal
Roman Starovoït, Russia’s former transport minister, was found dead in what authorities suspect to be a suicide, hours after President Vladimir Poutine dismissed him from his position. Russian investigators have confirmed that the initial evidence points to self-inflicted harm, though a full investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances.
Starovoit’s dismissal, announced early Monday, came following a turbulent period for Russia’s transport sector. Over the weekend, Ukrainian drone attacks caused significant disruptions in Russian air traffic, leading to flight cancellations and delays that affected thousands of passengers across the country. These attacks, part of Kyiv’s broader strategy to target Russian military and critical infrastructure, prompted the closure of airspace to civilian flights multiple times.
As a result of the airspace disruptions, Russian airlines canceled 485 flights, rerouted 88, and delayed 1,900 flights between Saturday and Monday. These operational challenges led to the reimbursement of 43,000 tickets and accommodations for 49,000 passengers, leaving airlines with financial losses estimated in the hundreds of thousands of euros.
Following Starovoit’s removal, Andrey Nikitin, his deputy and a former governor of the Novgorod region, was appointed as acting transport minister. Nikitin now faces the daunting task of mitigating fallout from the ongoing attacks and stabilizing the nation’s transport infrastructure.
Before becoming transport minister, Starovoit served as governor of the Kursk region, which has faced escalating Ukrainian incursions in recent months. Earlier in his career, he led Russia’s Federal Road Agency for six years, earning recognition for his contributions to the transport sector. His sudden dismissal and tragic death mark a significant moment in Russia’s ongoing internal and external challenges.
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