Roman Starovoit was removed from office by Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 7. The decree announcing the removal of Roman Starovoit from the position of Russian Transport Minister has been published on the official website of the Kremlin. Deputy Minister of Transport Andrey Nikitin was then appointed as acting minister.
Responding to the press, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that Starovoit's dismissal was due to a lack of confidence. Mr. Peskov did not provide any further information related to this issue.
The Russian Investigative Committee said that Starovoit's body was found inside a car in Odintsovo, a suburb of Moscow. The former Russian Transport Minister was found with wounds from shelling.
The Russian Investigative Committee stated that the former minister's death was being investigated, but the main hypothesis was suicide.
Before becoming Russian Transport Minister in May 2024, Mr. Starovoit was the Governor of Kursk province, southern Russia.
His dismissal comes amid days of disruption in Russian air traffic. The Russian Federal Aviation Administration said that 485 flights were canceled, 88 were diverted and 1,900 were delayed throughout the weekend and until July 7.
According to the Russian Federal Aviation Administration, the cancellations were due to "external interference" but did not provide details.
However, the Russian Defense Ministry said that more than 400 long-range attacks by Ukraine were blocked during the same period.
