Shock in the Kremlin: Putin Briefed on Former Transport Minister’s Suicide Amid Corruption Probe

Russian President Vladimir Putin was immediately informed about the suicide of former Transport Minister Roman Starovoit, according to presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

However, the Kremlin refused to comment further on the matter, Interfax reports.

“In this case, I wouldn’t want to comment on this topic. Of course, the president was informed without delay. News of this kind is always tragic and sad,” Peskov told reporters.

“This can’t help but shock any normal person. Naturally, we were shocked too. But an investigation is underway. I

t is supposed to answer all the questions. While it continues, people can speculate, but that’s more appropriate for the media or political analysts—not for us.”

News of Starovoit’s apparent suicide broke on July 7.

Just hours earlier, the Kremlin had published a decree from Putin announcing Starovoit’s dismissal as head of the Ministry of Transport.

The press has linked the official’s death to a criminal investigation into alleged fraud during the construction of fortifications on the border between Kursk Region and Ukraine.

Starovoit served as governor of the region from October 2018 to May 2024.