Russian President Vladimir Putin has removed Roman Starovoit from his position as Transport Minister, according to an official decree posted on the Kremlin's website.
Andrei Nikitin, formerly the deputy transportation minister, has been named the acting head of the ministry. Business outlets in Russia have identified him as the probable replacement for Starovoit.
Sources cited by *Vedomosti* indicate that this leadership change had been in the works for months. Nikitin reportedly stepped down as governor of the Novgorod region in February to prepare for his transition to the Transport Ministry.
Starovoit served as Transport Minister for just over a year. Prior to this role, he led the Kursk region starting in 2018 and had previously been in charge of Rosavtodor since 2012.
Nikitin governed the Novgorod region from February 2017 until February 2025.
The dismissal follows recent major disruptions at multiple Russian airports. Transportation authorities reported that on July 5, over 250 flights were canceled at Sheremetyevo, Pulkovo, and Strigino (Nizhny Novgorod), with more than 270 others delayed.