MOSCOW — Roman Starovoit, a former governor of Kursk and recently dismissed Russian transport minister, was found dead from a gunshot wound in a park outside Moscow on Sunday. His death comes just hours after President Vladimir Putin announced his dismissal and amid an ongoing corruption investigation into the misuse of funds allocated for fortifying Russia’s border with Ukraine.
The State Investigative Committee confirmed that a gun was found near Starovoit’s body and that its leading hypothesis was suicide. However, the agency did not specify the time of death or provide further details. Starovoit’s removal from office had reportedly been in the works for some time. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the former governor was suspected of involvement in the embezzlement of billions of roubles meant for defence infrastructure in the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine.
The Kremlin said it was “shocked” by the news of Starovoit’s death but did not elaborate on the reasons behind his dismissal. State prosecutors have not issued a formal statement.
Russian media outlets, including RBC and Kommersant, reported that Starovoit had been named in an ongoing investigation into financial mismanagement. According to Kommersant, individuals already charged in the case had given testimony implicating Starovoit.
The scandal concerns the misappropriation of 3.2 billion roubles (approx. S$52.4 million) from a total of 19.4 billion roubles (approx. S$318 million) in state funds earmarked for border fortifications in Kursk. Prosecutors allege inflated construction costs and incomplete work, much of which occurred during Starovoit’s tenure as governor.
The Kursk region became a critical flashpoint during the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. In August 2024, Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale incursion into the region — the most significant foreign attack on Russian soil since World War II. Although the area was retaken by Russian forces in early 2025, the incursion exposed serious weaknesses in Russia’s border defences.
Ukraine claimed that Russian casualties were heavy, although Moscow has not disclosed official figures. Russia, in turn, said tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops were killed or injured in the operation. Starovoit’s family has not commented publicly. His deputy has been named acting transport minister. The investigation continues amid growing public scrutiny over accountability and defence spending in the regions bordering Ukraine.