Russian transport minister fired by Putin reportedly shoots himself dead
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Russia’s former Transport Minister Roman Starovoit shot himself dead in Odintsovo following his dismissal by President Vladimir Putin on July 7, the pro-government newspaper Izvestia reported, citing unnamed sources.
Starovoit’s ouster came after nearly 500 flights were grounded at major Russian airports on July 5–6 due to security threats from Ukrainian drone attacks.
The following day, an explosion aboard the Eco Wizard tanker at the Ust-Luga port in Leningrad Oblast triggered an ammonia leak, adding to the crisis engulfing Russia’s transportation sector.
Starovoit, sanctioned by Ukraine and Western countries for his role in the war against Ukraine, had served as governor of Russia’s Kursk Oblast before being appointed transport minister in May 2024.
