Roman Starovoit, former Transport Minister and ex-governor of Kursk region, has died by suicide, according to reports from REN TV, "112", Mash, and SHOT, citing unnamed sources. The Investigative Committee later verified this information.
Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for the Investigative Committee, stated that Starovoit's body with gunshot wounds was discovered in his private vehicle in Odintsovo, near Moscow. Investigators are currently examining the circumstances, with suicide being the primary theory.
Andrei Kartapolov, chairman of the State Duma's defense committee, informed RTVI that Starovoit took his life "some time ago." A Forbes source indicated the death occurred over 24 hours prior, likely during the night of July 5-6. The Telegram channel VCHK-OGPU reported the suicide followed President Vladimir Putin's dismissal of Starovoit from his ministerial position.
Earlier on July 6, Putin removed Starovoit as Transport Minister, appointing deputy Andrei Nikitin as his replacement. Starovoit had previously governed the Kursk region.
Kommersant reports that Alexei Smirnov, another former Kursk governor currently detained for alleged embezzlement during border fortification construction near Ukraine, provided testimony against Starovoit. An RBC source confirmed Starovoit was under investigation for misappropriation of funds.